The toxicity of Irgarol 1051 and Sea-Nine 211 to the non-target macroalga Fucus serratus Linnaeus, with the aid of an image capture and analysis system

Zygotes were exposed, in static non-renewal systems, for 3 days, to a range of concentrations of biocide dissolved in seawater. Data for seven zygote parameters were recorded daily and values of percentage germination were calculated. From these data, NOEC values of 8 μg l−1 were calculated for both Sea-Nine 211 and Irgarol 1051. An EC50 of 19.4 μg l−1 was also determined for Sea-Nine 211. It is, therefore, suggested that F. serratus zygote germination and early development is unaffected by published environmental concentrations of these biocides. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the image capture and analysis methodologies developed provide an invaluable tool for use in future bioassays.