Life Stage-Dependent Toxicity and Interactions of Scrubber-Related Metal Mixtures in Marine Zooplankton

The adoption of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) in maritime transport generates a complex metal-laden washwater that may pose a noteworthy threat to marine ecosystems. This study assessed the acute toxic effects (LC50, 48 h) of four prevalent metals detected in scrubber washwater—vanadium (V), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)—both individually and as a realistic mixture. For this purpose, multiple life stages of Artemia franciscana (nauplii, juveniles, and adults) and the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis have been tested under laboratory conditions. All metals induced concentration-dependent toxicity, but sensitivities varied through life stages and species tested. The sensitivity to contaminants generally decreased as the organism’s developmental stage progressed. Consequently, three different orders of toxicity can be detected. The order of metal toxicity (from highest to lowest toxicity, based on 48 h LC50 values) was V > Fe > Ni > Zn for nauplii; V > Zn > Fe > Ni for juveniles and adults; and Fe > V > Zn > Ni for B. plicatilis. The Cumulative Toxic Unit (CTU) approach was utilized to compare the predicted additive effect with observed mixture toxicity. This analysis revealed a complex, life stage-dependent interaction; while antagonism dominated in nauplii (suggesting chemical mitigation), juveniles and adults of A. franciscana and the rotifer (B. plicatilis) exhibited significant synergism, amplifying the total toxicity beyond prediction. This study demonstrates that early life stages and small zooplankton are the most sensitive bioindicators of scrubber-related metal contamination, highlighting the potential ecological risk posed by metal-rich, acidic scrubber discharges that may enhance metal bioavailability and toxicity in marine environments.