Abnormality of Development in Strongylocentrotus intermedius (A. Agassiz) Larvae from Polluted Habitat in Amursky Bay, Peter the Great Bay

Abstract

Amursky Bay, Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan is very much prone to anthropogenic pollution by heavy metals, oils, phenols, pesticides, etc. To clarify the effect of pollution, tests of the embryonic and larval development of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius are conducted using material collected from polluted habitats in Amursky Bay. A population from an unpolluted site in Vityaz Bay is used as a control. Various abnormal patterns of development including failure to metamorphose are detected. Thus sea urchin population inhabiting Amursky Bay can not reproduce normal and viable off spring, which will be ascribed to an anthropogenic influence from Vladivostok city.