Accumulation and depuration of petroleum hydrocarbons by black mussels. 1. Laboratory exposure trials

Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the rates of accumulation and subsequent depuration of hydrocarbons by black mussels after exposure to various concentrations of water-soluble fractions of crude oil. The initial rate of uptake was related to the concentration in the water, but a maximum level of accumulation was found after long-term exposure. The rate of depuration was closely related to the time of exposure prior to depuration. The depuration profile consists of an initial rapid loss followed by a slower loss of the remaining hydrocarbons. Increased exposure time decreases the relative quantity of hydrocarbons lost in the initial rapid depuration. The results indicate that the use of mussels as petroleum hydrocarbon input "monitors" might have limitations.     

Responses of the mussel Mytilus edulis to copper and phenanthrene: Interactive effects

Most investigations of the responses of marine organisms to xenobiotics have concentrated on single contaminants and little is known of possible interactive effects of different classes of xenobiotics. As these latter seldom occur in environmental isolation, it is important to understand any interactions (synergistic or antagonistic) which may occur. This problem has been approached in the mussel Mytilus edulis by exposing estuarine mussels to copper (20 μg litre⁻¹) and phenanthrene (100 μg litre⁻¹) both individually and in combination, and measuring cytochemical subcellular and physiological responses after 3 days exposure and 3 days and 12 days recovery period. Results showed that mussels accumulated both xenobiotics during 3 days exposure. Depuration of copper was complete in 3 days recovery period, while loss of phenanthrene ranged from 30% to 70% of the concentration reached after 3 days exposure. There were no interactive effects on depuration.Both copper and phenanthrene reduced lysosomal hydrolase latency in digestive cells, and copper appeared to have a synergistic effect in preventing recovery of latency of lysosomal N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase during the recovery period. There was evidence, in the digestive cells, of an antagonistic effect of copper on stimulation of activity of the microsomal respiratory chain (measured as NADPH-neotetrazolium reductase) by phenanthrene. Stimulation of this system by phenanthrene persisted after 12 days recovery period. There was a synergistic interaction of copper and phenanthrene on elevation of oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion. Clearance rates and scope for growth (physiological condition) were depressed by copper but not by phenanthrene after 3 days exposure.These findings are discussed in terms of known effects of copper and phenanthrene and the interactions are considered in terms of environmental effects measurements.     

Accumulation and depuration of petroleum hydrocarbons by black mussels. 2. Depuration of field-exposed mussels

Results of depuration studies of mussels collected from chronically polluted sites and those collected after a fuel oil spill tend to confirm laboratory-deduced indications that the rate of depuration decreases as the exposure time increases. Chronically polluted mussels lost their accumulated hydrocarbons with half-lives for depuration that varied between 25 and 45 days whereas, after the oil spill, mussels lost 90 per cent of their accumulated burden within two weeks with a depuration half-life of 3,5 days. These results indicate that information concerning the type of exposure could be obtained from depuration studies of mussels collected during monitoring programmes.     

Effects of long-term exposure to silver or copper on growth, bioaccumulation and histopathology in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term accumulation of either silver or copper from low concentrations in seawater by blue mussels, Mytilus edulis. Mussels raised from eggs in the laboratory to the age of 2·5 months (approximately 4·5 mm in length) were continuously exposed to 0, 1, 5 and 10μg/liter of either silver (nitrate) or copper (chloride) and sampled at 12, 18 and 21 months for growth studies, measurements of metal accumulation and histopathological examination.Whole-body soft tissues were analyzed for the presence of both silver and copper, as background levels of copper in the incoming seawater averaged 2–4 μg/liter. Mussels exposed to silver had accumulated significant amounts of silver only at the highest test concentration (10 μg/liter Ag) after 12 months, but at 18 and 21 months significant levels were accumulated at all three test concentrations. Mussels exposed to copper accumulated significant amounts of copper at 5 and 10 μg/liter Cu after all three sampling periods, but not at 1μg/liter. Silver-exposed animals also accumulated significantly greater amounts of copper than control animals.In a comparative study, field-collected juvenile mussels (approximately 16·1 mm in shell length) and adult mussels (approximately 53·4 mm in shell length) were exposed for 12 months to 0, 5, 25 and 50 μg/liter silver only and subsequently sampled for metal-accumulation analyses and growth measurements. Juvenile mussels accumulated significant amounts of silver at all test concentrations, with the exception of mussels exposed to 5 μg/liter Ag for 6 months. Copper accumulation in the silver-exposed juveniles was significant only at 50 μg/liter Ag after 6 months, but at all test concentrations after 12 months. Adult mussels exposed to silver accumulated significant levels of both silver and copper, but at somewhat lower levels than juveniles.In the growth study, silver had no effect on laboratory reared mussels at the highest concentration of 10 μg/liter tested, whereas copper at 10 μg/liter did appear to affect growth as early as 4 months after the start of experimental exposure. Field-collected juvenile mussels did show inhibition in growth after 6 months' exposure to 25 and 50 μg/liter Ag, with some growth occurring after 12 months. Adults also showed inhibition in growth after 6 months but not at 12 months.Histopathological examination of mussels exposed to either 5 or 10 μg/liter of copper for 18 months showed changes in the digestive diverticula, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract and muscle tissues. These changes were more noticeable in mussels exposed to 5 μg/liter Cu than in those exposed to 10 μg/liter. Mussels exposed to silver for 21 months showed yellowish to black particulate deposition in the basement membrane and connective tissue of the various organs and tissues. Silver deposition increased with increasing test concentration.     

Cellular responses in the mussel Mytilus edulis following exposure to diesel oil emulsions: Reproductive and nutrient storage cells

The objectives of this study were to examine, and quantify with the aid of stereological techniques,^1,2 the effects of exposure to hydrocarbons on the reproductive and nutrient storage cell systems in the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis. In addition, the capacity for recovery of these cell systems was quantified following a period of hydrocarbon depuration. The second phase of these investigations examined the significance of nutritional reserves at the time of exposure to hydrocarbons and how this may influence the animal's ability to survive the insult. The results (Table 1) indicated that, first, hydrocarbons had a deleterious effect on the nutritional storage cells leading to reduced fecundity and oocyte atresia (degeneration). Given a period of depuration, however, there were indications of a recovery in both the reproductive and storage cell systems. Second, the ability of mussels to survive hydrocarbon exposure was dependent upon the nutrient reserves at the onset of exposure.     

Assessing site-specific effects of TBT contamination with mussel growth rates

During nine field transplant tests in San Diego Bay (1987–1990), juvenile mussels were exposed to mean concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) in ambient seawater ranging from 2 to 530 ng liter⁻¹ for 12 weeks under natural conditions. A total of 79 cages with 18 mussels each were monitored at 18 different sites. Growth and seawater TBT concentrations were measured weekly or on alternate weeks (biweekly). Mean growth rates ranged from 17 to 505 mg week⁻¹ (0·2 to 2·5 mm week⁻¹). Accumulation of TBT in mussel tissues was measured at the end of each 12-week test exposure and ranged from 0·1 to 3·2 μg g⁻¹ TBT wet weight. The frequency of the measurements and the integration of chemical and biological measurements improved the accuracy of the assessment over more traditional approaches. Growth was significantly related to seawater and tissue TBT. The statistical relationships with growth effects were used to estimate chemical effect zones for TBT in San Diego Bay. Site-specific differences were distinguished by additional statistical analyses and consideration of environmental significance.     

The role of oxyradicals in intracellular proteolysis and toxicity in mussels

Studies were performed on the common mussel, M. edulis L., to determine whether copper (Cu) exposure can affect the extent to which digestive cell proteins are oxidised and whether such oxidative damage is mediated by free radicals. Three age groups of mussels were exposed for 6 ^-days to environmentally realistic concentrations of Cu and then digestive gland homogenates were examined for evidence of protein carbonyl formation. Significant increases in carbonyls relative to untreated control mussels were seen for the youngest (2–4 year-old) and oldest (≥ 10 year-old) mussels only after exposure for 6 days, followed by recovery from exposure for a further 6 days. Untreated mussels also showed an age-related difference in protein oxidation, with a significantly lower concentration in the youngest animals (2–4 year olds). Copper did not affect the levels of modified tryptophan or tyrosine residues or the extent of total lipid peroxidation in digestive gland homogenate. Significant depletion of total vitamin E (a-tocopherol) was seen only in young and medium-aged mussels following exposure for 6 days. The levels of protein carbonyl groups were increased in digestive cell cytosol and lighter lysosomes but not in heavier lysosomes or digestive gland microsomes following 5 days exposure to Cu. Dihydrohodamine-123 was converted to fluorescent rhodamine-123 following sequestration into digestive cell lysosomes. The results suggest a link between the lysosomal sequestration of copper, a concomitant increase in the production of oxyradicals and the potential for intracellular oxidative damage, as well as an increased capacity for oxidative damage in older animals.     

Effects of mercury on the prosobranch mollusc Crepidula fornicata: Acute lethal toxicity and effects on growth and reproduction of chronic exposure

Exposure to a mercury-equilibrated algal suspension containing 0·25, 0·42 and 1 μg Hg litre⁻¹ as mercuric chloride in solution reduced the growth and condition of pairs of adults of the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata in a 16-week period. Reproduction rates and larval survival to settlement were also reduced over the first three spawnings when the exposed pairs reached sexual maturity. The adult and larval 96-h LC₅₀s were 330 and 60 μg Hg litre⁻¹, respectively, as mercuric chloride in solution, indicating that a ‘safety factor’ of 10⁻¹ needs to be applied to adult data to protect the most sensitive stage in the life cycle. However, the chronic exposure of the maturing adults showed that levels of inorganic mercury below the ‘safe’ concentration derived from the adult 96 h LC₅₀ affected growth and reproductive success.     

Petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments of Southampton water estuary

The sediments of Southampton Water were analysed for petroleum hydrocarbons to determine the fate of petrochemical refinery waste in the estuary. Much of the petroleum hydrocarbons appears to be removed by adsorption onto estuarine sediments close to source. Surface sediment concentrations range from 3·1mg/g dry weight near a refinery to 0·5 mg/g dry weight at locations distant from the refinery.The absence of any change with depth in total hydrocarbon concentrations from some sediment cores and the presence of distinct ‘oil’ horizons in others suggests that mixing of sediments in the area is very random. Sedimentation rates in areas where a distinct oil horizon was observed ranged from 1 to 3cm a year.     

A chemical investigation of the transport and fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in littoral and benthic environments: The TSESIS oil spill

The fate of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons discharged into the coastal Baltic Sea environment from the TSESIS oil spill has been studied in the acute and postacute (one year) phases of the spill. Periodic samples of Mytilus edulis (mussels) from eight littoral zone stations and Macoma balthica from nine soft bottom stations were obtained as well as sediment trap samples and surface sediment samples. Glass capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatographic mass spectrometry were used as the analytical tools to determine saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon composition and concentrations in these samples.Sediment trap samples indicated that sizable quantities of chemically and microbially weathered oil were sedimented, and available for benthic uptake shortly after the spill. After initial uptake of sedimented oil (500 to 1000 μ/g dry weight), Macoma populations appear to have begun slow depuration through the first winter after the spill, but TSESIS oil was again introduced to the benthic stations studied during the following summer. Mytilus populations in the region were severely impacted by the oil. Initial depuration of spilled oil during the first month was rapid and nearly complete at all but the most heavily impacted stations one year after the spill. The post-spill depuration of assimilated hydrocarbons was characterised by a relative retention of alkylated dibenzothiophenes and alkylated phenanthrenes compared to their unsubstituted parent compounds and compared with the entire homologous naphthalene series.These data suggest that petroleum hydrocarbons from the TSESIS spill have become a chronic source of degraded saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons to the soft bottom benthic communities. Petroleum hydrocarbons in the benthic environment from this spill appear to reside in the difficulty sampled and mobile flucculent layer at the sediment/water interface and may affect epifaunal communities for an extended period of time.     

Lysosomal reaction to xenobiotics in mussel hemocytes using BODIPY-FL-verapamil

Many cellular and sub-cellular biomarkers associated with mussel (Mytilus edulis) digestive gland and kidney have been characterised. The lysosomal compartment of these tissues have been recognised as being particularly sensitive, exhibiting pollutant induced responses which could be potentially used as a ‘biomarker’. However, relatively few studies have investigated the lysosomal response within molluscan hemocytes. This study was conducted to test whether lysosomal reactions, in live hemocytes isolated from mussels, can be used as a biomarker of pollutant exposure and deleterious effect. Lysosomal responses to a number of hydrocarbons, including anthracene and phenanthrene, and to the amphiphilic heterocylic chemical, chlorpromazine, were examined. The supravital dye neutral red (NR) was used to examine lysosomal membrane fragility, following xenobiotic exposure. NR was also used to verify the lysosomal compartment as the reported accumulation site of a new molecular probe, BODIPY-FL-verapamil (BFLV). The use of BFLV, with confocal laser microscopy and image analysis enabled visualisation and quantification of lysosomal distribution and perturbation. BFLV showed that exposure of molluscan hemocytes to xenobiotics (20 ppb–10 ppm) induced the formation of pathologically enlarged lysosomes. The internal trafficking of lysosomes was shown to be severely compromised after exposure to chlorpromazine. Exposed molluscan hemocytes exhibited significantly reduced lysosomal retention times, for neutral red. Preliminary data is presented demonstrating the opportunity for these non-destructive biomarker techniques to detect pollution gradients in situ.     

Effects of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) and cadmium in the digestive gland of mussel, Mytilus sp.

A laboratory study was carried out exposing mussels (Mytilus sp.) to linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) (6 mg litre⁻¹), Cd (0.05 mg litre⁻¹) and LAS plus Cd at the same concentrations. The aim was to assess the use of several histopathological and biochemical indices as potential biomarkers of the impact of these xenobiotics in the digestive gland of molluscs. Treated mussels actively accumulated Cd in the digestive gland compared with controls (p 0.01), the highest levels occurring after 30 days of exposure in the group treated with Cd plus LAS. Among several histological alterations screened in digestive gland tissues the thickness of digestive tubules in Cd treated animals decreased more markedly (p 0.01) than in LAS exposed mussels. As for biochemical parameters, the investigated antioxidant enzyme activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, DT-diaphorase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) did not show any significant induction due to these xenobiotics. However, a slight decrease of the antioxidant defences of the animals was detected after 30 days of exposure to contaminants.     

Uptake of petroleum hydrocarbons by the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) after Experimental Oiling and High Pressure, Hot Water Shore cleaning

High pressure, hot water shore cleaning after an oil spill will release high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons to ambient marine ecosystems. The immediate increase of hydrocarbons observed in blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, went from background concentrations of 40 μg/g to 657 μg/g and 533 μg/g at a distance of 3 and 8m respectively from the shore. After two weeks the accumulated oil had decreased by 20–45 %. In comparison natural surf and ice cleaning of shores will only produce a small increase in hydrocarbon concentrations. We recommend that high pressure, hot water cleaning is not used in areas where no special bird or wild life protection is needed.     

Hydrocarbons in bivalve mollusks of Port Valdez, Alaska: Consequences of five years' permitted discharge

Petroleum hydrocarbons were investigated in Mytilus edulis and Macoma balthica at six intertidal sites in Port Valdez, Alaska after three to five years of oil terminal operation. Information about the concentrations of total hydrocarbons, unresolved complex mixture, normal alkanes, isoprenoids, olefins, hopanes and polycyclic aromatic hyrocarbons shows that petroleum accumulation in these bivalve mollusks is greatest at the Valdez municipal boat harbor and a crude oil terminal which has been permitted to discharge 170 kg oil day⁻¹. Accumulation two- to ten-fold less were observed at 3 km from the terminal and boat harbor. The temporal trends in petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in M. edulis and M. balthica reflect the effects of selective retention and depuration of different hydrocarbon classes as well as variation in hydrocarbon sources. It is not clear whether the petroleum concentrations in Port Valdez bivalves had reached steady state by 1982, the final sampling time reported here.     

Effect of in vivo cadmium exposure on the respiratory burst of Marine Fish (Limanda limanda L.) phagocytes

Following the in vivo exposure of dab (Limanda limanda L.) to cadmium chloride, kidney phagocytes were collected and their respiratory burst measured in vitro using chemiluminescence. Fish were exposed to mean measured concentrations of 1.3, 2.7 and 5.5 mg Cd litre⁻¹ (as total cadmium ion) for a total of nine weeks, followed by a three week depuration period in clean sea water. Compared with control fish, the respiratory burst of kidney phagocytes from dab sampled after six weeks was significantly reduced in the 2.7 and 5.5 mg Cd litre⁻¹ treatments (Steel's test, p < 0.05). Significant reductions were observed in the respiratory burst of phagocytes from all cadmium exposed fish compared with control fish after nine weeks (Steel's test, p < 0.05). After a further three week depuration period in clean sea water, the respiratory burst of phagocytes from fish previously exposed to 1.3 and 2.7 mg Cd litre⁻¹ were still significantly less than in the control group (Steel's test, p < 0.05). Muscle tissue cadmium concentrations were also analysed, although there was no clear relationship between the muscle total cadmium levels and kidney phagocyte chemiluminescence. The results are discussed with respect to the possible mechanism(s) of cadmium immunotoxicity in dab and recommendations made for future work.     

Non-volatile Hydrocarbon Chemistry Studies Around a Production Platform on Australia's Northwest Shelf

In September 1994 and 1995, scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Australian Geological Survey Organization (AGSO) conducted surveys aboard the RV Lady Basten to determine the dispersion, fates and effects of produced formation water (PFW) discharged from the ‘ Harriet A ’ oil production platform near the Montebello Islands. This report is one of four related papers and describes the non-volatile hydrocarbon chemistry studies. The dispersion of the PFW into dissolved and particulate fractions of seawater were measured using moored high volume water samplers, surface screen samplers and moored and drifting sediment traps. Bio-accumulation was studied using transplanted oysters, and dispersion measured into sediment with benthic grabs.Results showed enrichment in non-volatile hydrocarbons in surface microlayer samples to a distance of 1·8 km in the direction of tidal flow. Concentrations in surface microlayers near the platform varied by an order of magnitude and corresponded to when a surface slick was visible or not visible. Concentrations of oil in seawater ranged from 2·0 to 8·5 μg l⁻¹at near stations to 1·3 μg l⁻¹at 1·8 km. Water column samples showed the processes of desorption from particles for soluble components occur within the range of 1·8 km. Most particulate hydrocarbons drop out of suspension within c. 1 to 2 km from the platform. Fluxes of particulate hydrocarbons through the water column at c. 1 km, as estimated by moored sediment traps in 1995, were 138 to 148 ng cm⁻²day⁻¹. A decrease in sediment concentrations within c. 1 km of the platform was measured as 2·45±1·29 μg g⁻¹dry wt (n=15) in 1994 to 0·86±0·54 μg g⁻¹dry wt (n=21) in 1995, after the platform installed a centrifugal separator in the discharge treatment process. Thus the residence time of this relatively low molecular weight oil was estimated in the coarse aerobic sands surrounding the platform to be less than one year. Oysters suspended near the platform bio-accumulated hydrocarbons and other lipophilic organics in their tissues. Uptake rates and bio-concentration factors of hydrocarbons indicated potential toxicity at the near-field stations within c. 1 km radius.A mass balance was constructed to show the partitioning of the input of hydrocarbons from the PFW into the surrounding marine ecosystem. The rates of dissipation processes were estimated as follows: dilution from tidal currents>degradation in the water column>sedimentation>evaporation. The calculations based on maximum concentrations measured in the environmental samples accounted for 85% of the daily input suspended within a 1 km radius.It is estimated that the potential zone of toxic influence in the water column extends to a distance of approximately 1 km. Concentrations of oil in sediments were too low to indicate potential toxicity. By the collaborative application of oceanographic and geochemical techniques to marine environmental problems, we endeavour to provide effective feedback to the oil industry to gauge the effectiveness of their operational strategies in minimizing impact in these pristine regions.     

Interaction between water flow and oxygen deficiency on growth in the infaunal brittle star Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Interactions between ‘oxygen concentration’ (normoxia: >80% oxygen saturation, and hypoxia: 18% oxygen saturation) and ‘water flow velocity’ (low: 0.1 cm s⁻¹, and moderate: 0.5 cm s⁻¹) were studied on growth rates in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis in a flow-through aquaria system. Effects of ‘sublethal predation’ on growth rates were investigated as ‘number of amputated arms’ (1 and 3 arms) and ‘amputation of the disk’. A significant interaction between oxygen concentration and water flow velocity was observed in mean arm regeneration rate, but in both flow velocities higher mean arm regeneration rates were observed in normoxia compared to hypoxia. In hypoxia a positive response in arm regeneration rate was observed in moderate flow compared to low flow velocity. In normoxia, however, no response to flow velocity was observed. The latter observation indicates that Amphiura filiformis is able to maintain the ventilation of the burrow at low flow velocities, but in low oxygen concentrations hydrodynamic forces seem to affect growth. A significant interaction between oxygen concentration and disk amputation was observed in both arm and disk regeneration rates, indicating that the disk is the major organ for gas exchange in this species. The number of arms amputated, however, did not affect mean arm regeneration rate. The results obtained in this study suggest that the secondary production in subtidal infaunal populations could be negatively affected by low oxygen concentrations and that this response is even more negative in combination with low flow velocities in the near-bottom water.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface seawater and in indigenous mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from coastal areas of the Saronikos Gulf (Greece)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and measured in surface seawater and in the tissues (gills and mantle) of indigenous black mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, collected from three coastal sites of Saronikos Gulf (Greece), a gulf that exhibits high levels of pollution. The total PAHs measured by spectrofluorometry in the surface seawater were found in the range of 425–459 ng L⁻¹ at the most polluted sites 1 and 2 (Elefsis Bay–Salamis Island) and in the range of 103–124 ng L⁻¹ at site 3 (Aegina Island). PAHs' sources in seawater were identified by application of specific PAH ratios, such as phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene. Levels of PAHs in soft tissues (gills and mantle) of indigenous mussels were much higher than those reported for seawater. Total PAH concentrations in mantle tissues were in the range of 1300–1800 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) tissue at sites 1 and 2 and approximately 380 ng g⁻¹ dw at site 3. In gill tissues total PAH concentrations were in the range of 1480–2400 ng g⁻¹ dw at sites 1 and 2 and approximately 430 ng g⁻¹ dw at site 3. PAHs composition was dominated by two-, three- and four-ring compounds in seawater, where 17 different PAH compounds were identified and measured in mussel tissues. Mussels can be used as sentinel organisms to monitoring PAHs' contamination, since they concentrate PAHs from the surrounding water media and therefore making the chemical analysis simpler and less prone to error than that for water. In surface seawater possible weathering and photodegradation due to hot climates contribute to reduced PAHs concentrations.     

Metal pollution assessment of the marine environment by determination of metal-binding proteins in Mytilus sp.

Adult mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) (shell length 5–7 cm) exposed to elevated concentrations of Cd (0.1–1.3 mg l⁻¹), in a flowing seawater aquarium under laboratory conditions, responded by elevated synthesis of metal-binding proteins in a digestive gland. Response depended on the Cd concentration level as well as on duration of the exposure time. Results obtained show that inducible proteins (isolated by gel-filtration column chromatography and characterized by electrochemical and spectrophotometric methods) should be considered metallothionein-like proteins.The induced metal-binding proteins of mussels in specific organs or tissues are considered to be a potential biological indicator of metal pollution, taking into account specific qualities of the mussel response to different metals. The advantages of the analytical methods applied (gel-chromatography and polarography) and the relevance of the laboratory data when transferred to environmental conditions are discussed. Previously reported results dealing with metal-binding proteins of Mytilus species are also summarized.     

Effect of oil and dispersants on the growth of Mussels

Mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) were exposed to North Sea crude oil, microencapsulated oil and dispersants, singly and in combination, and growth rates measured at 24–48 h intervals.Exposure to microencapsulated pure oil (2·0–2·1 mg litre⁻¹) and to microencapsulated mixtures of oil (2·2−2·5 mg litre^-1+5 % of the different dispersants (FINASOL OSR 5, COREXIT 9527, DISPOLENE 36 S) gave approximately the same reduction in growth rate (80–90%) within 170h.Oil chemically dispersed with DISPOLENE 36 S and a pure oil mechanically dispersed in water were significantly less toxic. In high concentrations (2 mg litre⁻¹) all disperants are toxic, DISPOLENE 36 S ssignificantly more than the others.Mussels exposed for 170 h to microencapsulated oil and to microencapsulated oil dispersant mixtures recovered to control growth within 300 h in clean seawater, while in those given pure oil-in-water suspension, the recovery was slower.It is concluded that the toxicity of oil is mainly related to size and concentration of oil particles, while the effect of 5% dispersants added is negligible.