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INVESTIGATION OF TOLERANCE AND AVOIDANCE RESPONSES IN MEIOBENTHIC COPEPOD SPECIES TO PHENANTHRENE AND CHRYSENE EXPOSURE

Authors: Wouroud Hachani, Mohamed Allouche, Hamouda Beyrem, Amor Hedfi, Octavian Pacioglu, Anis A. Chaudhary, Hamdi Bendif, Fehmi Boufahja

Received April 10, 2025

Accepted for publication May 20, 2025

Published June 30, 2025. Volume 3:1 Pages 142—153

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Peer reviewer comments 2

Correspondence: wou_roud@live.fr

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of two Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (hereafter PAHs), chrysene and phenanthrene, on the vertical movement of meiobenthic copepods in open microcosm environments. PAHs are environmental contaminants of significant concern owing to their prevalence and toxicological effects on aquatic organisms. This investigation highlights the significance of PAHs as ecological stressors affecting the movement behavior of meiobenthic copepods following exposure to chrysene and phenanthrene, both individually (1.16 ng/g Dry Weight) and in combination. Indeed, it was identified that the most vulnerable species to PAHs are Asellopsis hispida and Bulbamphiascus imus. These species demonstrated a clear aversion to PAHs, probably via remote chemodetection. In contrast, species like Canuella furcigera and Heterolaophonte stromeii stromeii showed a high tolerance to PAHs by moving into all contaminated regions. Interestingly, the study outcomes supported that the movement patterns of meiobenthic copepods may serve as crucial indicators of the availability and nature of PAHs in benthic ecosystems.

KEYWORDS: Meiofauna; Copepods, Chrysene; Phenanthrene, Vertical migration