Abstract
Unchlorinated domestic sewage was found to be a relatively weak inhibitor of external fertilization in 3 marine invertebrates. Chlorinated sewage was a potent spermicide, active in inhibiting fertilization in concentrations of available chlorine as low as 0.05 ppm. Sodium hypochlorite in seawater duplicated the effect, and excess sodium thiosulfate terminated it. The possibility of chlorine disinfection affecting reproductive success in the vicinity of outfalls is discussed.
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Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami
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Muchmore, D., Epel, D. The effects of chlorination of wastewater on fertilization in some marine invertebrates. Marine Biology 19, 93–95 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353579
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353579