Combined effects of temperature and copper and S-metolachlor on embryo-larval development of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

This study evaluates the combined effects of two contaminants (copper and a herbicide S-metolachlor) and temperature on the early life stages of the Pacific oyster Crasssotrea gigas, which is native to Arcachon Bay (southwest France). The responses of D-larvae, obtained from wild and cultivated oysters, were investigated for one year during the oyster breeding period at different sampling sites and compared with the response of D-larvae from a commercial hatchery. Embryotoxicity was measured by considering the percentage of abnormal D-shaped larvae. Normal development of embryos occurred only from 22 °C to 26 °C. There were synergistic effects of copper at low and high temperatures. Native oysters appear particularly sensitive to an increase in water temperature, suggesting a future increase in the percentage of larval abnormalities as a result of global climate change. Hatchery oysters represent a good alternative model for studying the effects of both pollutants and climate change stressors.