Changes in Temperature Alter the Toxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds to American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Larvae.

This article focuses on the influence of temperature on the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) to Stage I American lobster (Homarus americanus) larvae, providing critical data for oil spill effects modeling. Six understudied PACs representing various chemical classes—including oxidized hydrocarbons—were tested at environmentally relevant temperatures (10, 15, and 20 °C) to assess sublethal (immobilization) and lethal effects. Results showed that higher temperatures generally increased the rate and severity of toxicity for several PACs, although the relationship varied by compound and did not universally follow the expected Q10 temperature coefficient. The study found that temperature influenced toxicity thresholds and elimination rates but did not significantly alter the critical target lipid body burden (CTLBB), a key parameter in the target lipid model (TLM) used for predicting PAC toxicity. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating temperature effects into oil spill models and underscore the need for further research across diverse species and PACs to improve predictive accuracy.