Toxic marine invertebrates, examples

As noted earlier, OPs are known to be highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and to fish. This has been demonstrated in field studies. For example, malathion applied to watercress beds caused lethal intoxication of the freshwater shrimp Gammarus pulex located downstream (Crane et al. 1995). Kills of marine invertebrates have been reported following the application of OPs. Accidental release of OPs into rivers, lakes, and bays has sometimes caused large-scale fish kills (see Environmental Health Criteria 63). 

The most obvious impact of sediment-associated pollutants on aquatic biota is direct acute toxicity and there is considerable literature on both laboratory and field effects of toxic substances on marine and freshwater invertebrates (Baker, 1980 Reynoldson, 1987). For example, Warwick (1980) and Wiederholm (1984) observed deformities in chironomid larvae mouthparts at polluted sites of lakes in Canada and Sweden Milbrink (1983) has shown setal deformities in oligochaetes exposed to high sediment mercury levels. Indirect effects resulting from sediment contamination oftenly include changes in benthic invertebrate community structure. For example, Lock et al. (1981) evidenced increased growth of bacterial flora and algal cells on oiled substrates and a consequent stimulation of macroinvertebrates. Chapman et al. (1982) have shown effects of life history alterations (e.g., impairment of reproduction and age selective toxicity) which have been linked to sediment contaminants. ... 

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