A REVIEW OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES WITH POLYCHAETOUS ANNELIDS

A total of 48 species in 20 families of polychaetes have been used as test organisms in assessing the effects of toxicants in the marine env ironment. Members of families Capitellidae, Dinophilidae, Dorvilleidae and Nereidae are the most commonly used species. Tests conducted incl ude 1) acute, in which survival is the criterion; 2) chronic, in which some biological measure, such as growth, is used; and 3) life-cycle t ests in which reproduction and the number of offspring produced are th e criteria. Toxicants studied include metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, detergents, pesticides, contaminated sediments and radiation. Laborato ry cultures have facilitated the testing procedures, especially for th e chronic and life-cycle test. The published literature on the effects of toxicants on polychaetes is reviewed by contaminant, and then summ arized in tabular forms.