Abstract

ABSTRACT The larval development and growth of Petrolisthes laevigatus were analyzed in five concentrations of Cr VI, 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 5 mg L-1 chrome (VI) in filtered sea water and the same chrome (VI) concentrations, plus 0.7 mg L-1 EDTA. Analyses were done during 21-day period. Measurement of total length, individual wet average larvae weight and the presence or absence of deformations in P. laevigatus larvae were determined. The larvae of the control group (0 mg L-1 chrome (VI)) did not exhibit deformations and developed normally. The total length and biomass of the larvae exposed to Cr VI were significantly lower than those of the larvae subjected to Cr VI plus EDTA concentrations and the control larvae. It is hereby confirmed that the presence of EDTA in the medium mitigates the negative effects of Cr VI via a yet unknown mechanism.