This study investigates the acute toxicity of sublethal tributyltin (TBT) exposure in the marine polychaetes Perinereis aibuhitensis by measuring changes in mortality, burrowing activity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) function, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. The 96h-LC50 of TBT was established at 23.7 μg L⁻¹. Following exposure to 1 μg L⁻¹ of TBT led to a dose-dependent reduction in burrowing behavior and AChE activity in polychaetes. Elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and pronounced reduction of glutathione (GSH) contents explained significant oxidative stress. The major antioxidant enzymes, including GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, were also significantly suppressed following TBT exposure. These findings indicate that TBT-induced acute toxicity compromises physiological functions and undermines antioxidant defense system in polychates.

Despite concerns about the significant toxicity of copper pyrithione (CuPT) at environmental concentrations, effects of CuPT on benthic organisms have received little attention. Here, we analyzed the detrimental effects of CuPT at sublethal concentrations (1/50, 1/20, and 1/10 of the 96 h-LC50 value) for 14 days in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis. Reduced burrowing activity and significantly decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity in response to relatively high concentrations of CuPT were identified as CuPT-triggered cholinergic inhibition. The lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde levels were dosedependently increased, whereas intracellular glutathione was depleted by relatively high concentrations. In the CuPT-treated polychaete, significant fluctuations in the enzymatic activities of the antioxidant defense system (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase) were observed with significantly modulated glutathione S-transferase activity. These results indicate that even sublethal levels of CuPT would have detrimental effects on the health status of the marine polychaete.