Impact of Diuron Antifouling Paint on Fatty Acid Composition in Asian Sea-Bass “<i>Lates calcarifer</i>”

In recent decades, the application of antifouling paints to watercrafts has emerged as a significant concern in coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs. Diuron, a booster biocide commonly used as an antifouling agent, is persistent in soil, water, and groundwater. Although it exhibits moderate toxicity to mammals and birds, its primary breakdown product, 3,4-dichloroaniline, is highly toxic and environmentally persistent. The secondary toxicity of Diuron emphasizes its potential to contaminate groundwater. This investigation determined the 96-hour LC50 value for Diuron to be 1.627 ± 0.181 mg/L in Lates calcarifer. A 21-day sublethal exposure of Lates calcarifer to diuron did not yield statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in fatty acid composition between the fresh and control groups. Both groups demonstrated polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as the most abundant fatty acids, followed by saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). However, significant variations (P Lates calcarifer exposed to varying diuron concentrations (50%, 30%, and 10% of the LC50 value). The magnitude of these effects increased with increasing exposure levels. The results of this study indicate that diuron, even at concentrations considered safe, can adversely affect marine organisms, including alterations to their fatty acid composition.