Persistence of oiling in mussel beds after the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Persistence and weathering of Exxon Valdez oil in intertidal mussel (Mytilus trossulus) beds in Prince William Sound (PWS) and along the Gulf of Alaska was monitored from 1992 to 1995. Beds with significant contamination included most previously oiled areas in PWS, particularly within the Knight Island group and the Kenai Peninsula. In sediments, yearly mean concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons ranged from < 60 micrograms/g in reference beds to 62,258 micrograms/g wet wt., or approximately 0 to 523 micrograms/g dry wt. total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAHs). In mussels, mean TPAH concentrations ranged up to 8.1 micrograms/g dry wt. Hydrocarbon concentrations declined significantly with time in some, but not all mussels and sediments, and should reach background levels within three decades of the spill in most beds. In 1995, mean hydrocarbon concentration was greater than twice background concentration in sediments from 27 of 34 sites, and in mussels from 18 of 31 sites.     

南海现代表层沉积物中有机物的分布研究

应用GC,GC/MS分析法,系统剖析了南海现代沉积物中有机质的分子地球化学特征,对其生物标志物组成、成熟度和成因进行了研究.研究认为,南海现代沉积物中有机质族组成具有现代有机质特征,但部分生物标志物参数特征表明烃类具有低成熟度,可能有外源有机质的加入.O-2,O-6,O-10和O-13样品中的烃类组成特点说明,这4个样品中的烃类是在海相贡献略高于其他样品环境中的条件下形成的.甾烷的组成特点说明了南海现代沉积物中有机质生源的特殊性.     

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.     

Toxicity of sea-surface microlayer: Effects of hexane extract on baltic herring (Clupea harengus) and atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) embryos

This study was designed to determine whether contaminated sea-surface microlayer was toxic to marine fish embryos in its ntaive form and as a hexane extract. Developing embryos of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Baltic herring (Clupea harengus) were exposed to hexane extracts of sea-surface microlayer collected from five locations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Extracts from two of these locations produced significant embryos mortality as well as severe deformities in live hatched larvae. A control sample of bulk water collected from 20 cm under the surface and extracted in the same way produced no significant mortality or deformities. Significaant changes in timing of hatching were also observed in those samples which produced embryo toxic effects. A comparison of these data with those obtained from code embryos exposed to unextracted microlayer showed a similar biological effect with both unextracted samples and hexane extracts.Chemical analyses revealed the greatest biological effect in samples with petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations between 180 and > 200 μg liter⁻¹. The bulk water control had 1 μg liter⁻¹ while the three samples that showed no biological activity had 3 to 8 μg liter⁻¹ petroleum hydrocarbons. Phthalic acid esters were detected in four samples and chlorinated hydrocarbons in one, but could not be positively correlated with any of the toxic responses. No other chemical contaminants were detected in the five samples.The data presented here show that some sites contain sea-surface microlayer which can be toxic to marine fish embryos: that Baltic herring and Atlantic cod embryos respond similarly to the toxic effects of contaminated microlayer: and that unextracted microlayer and hexane extract of microlayer produce essentially the same toxic effect(s) if only organic contaminants are considered.     

Toxicity of sediments from Bahía de Chetumal, México, as assessed by hepatic EROD induction and histology in nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

The effect of environmental pollutants present in sediments obtained from Bahía de Chetumal, a bay on the border between Mexico and Belize, was studied in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) intraperitoneally injected with sediment extracts from six different sites of the Bay. Sediment samples used for the study contained a variety of organic chemicals such as organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total cytochrome P-450 and EROD activity were measured in fish liver. Haematological and histological analyses were also carried out. Hepatic P-450 content in treated fish increased from 43 to 240%, and EROD activity from 85 to 160% compared to controls. Extracts from two sampling sites inhibited EROD activity. There were positive significant correlations between P-450 content and the levels of PCBs 44 and 128. EROD activity correlated to HCB, op'-DDE, pp'-DDE, pp'-DDD, mirex and PCB 18 concentrations. Blood examination showed cell degeneration and binucleated leukocytes with abnormal chromatin. Extract treatment also resulted in foci of hyperplasia on the basement of gill lamellae, hypertrophy and oedema in gills and liver necrosis. Control fish showed no abnormalities. The results demonstrate that sediments from Bahía of Chetumal have the potential to cause histopathological, haematological and biochemical alterations in fish. The administration of sediment extracts to fish may serve as a useful test to screen the toxicity of sediments from different areas.     

潮间带沉积物厌氧烃降解细菌的多样性及Desulfovibrio subterraneus ND17的分离鉴定

潮间带作为海陆交界处,易受到来自海洋的石油污染,且各类石油烃进入沉积物后的降解过程尚不清楚。前人在各类生境中对好氧微生物烃降解方面已有较多研究,但对近海潮间带环境中的厌氧烃降解鲜有报道。本研究对青岛女岛湾潮间带沉积物深层样品以混合烃（中长链烷烃、多环芳烃）为碳源,硫酸盐作为电子受体进行厌氧富集培养。富集菌群的细菌多样性表明在混合烃作为碳源的作用下,优势菌群转变为脱硫叠球菌科（Desulfosarcinaceae）、脱硫杆菌科（Desulfobacteraceae）等具有石油烃降解潜力的硫酸盐还原菌。经分离纯化得到一株厌氧烃降解菌ND17,与地下脱硫弧菌属模式种Desulfovibrio subterraneus HN2T 16S rRNA基因序列的相似度为99.93%。进一步实验表明,菌株ND17在厌氧条件下对二十四烷和菲的降解率可分别达到53.9%和35.7%。这也是首次对脱硫弧菌属单菌在厌氧条件下进行石油烃降解的研究。脱硫弧菌作为一种广泛分布在厌氧环境的细菌,本研究为进一步认识其在海洋石油污染环境中的修复潜力提供了支撑。     

仿生人工贻贝在筼筜湖海水石油烃污染监测上的应用

仿生人工贻贝（Ｓｅｍｉ－Ｐｅｒｍｅａｂｌｅ Ｍｅｍｂｒａｎｅ Ｄｅｖｉｃｅｓ）是近年来海洋污染监测中新技术,其制作简单,吊挂取样方便,在筼筜湖纳潮进水渠和排污出水口进行夏、冬应用实验,结果显示筼筜湖内石油烃污染仍然较严重,其每ｇ甘油三油酸酯中石油烃浓度夏季可达２．１～７．８ｍｇ。退潮排污出水口人工贻贝石油烃浓度为纳潮进水口的２倍,冬季人工贻贝石油烃浓度又为夏季的１．５倍。同时也说明仿生人工贻贝（ＳＰＭＤ）可克服天然贻贝因性别、生长期、健壮程度和海区条件引起的差异,应用前景良好。     

Correlation of CYP1A1 induction, as measured by the P450 RGS biomarker assay, with high molecular weight PAHs in mussels deployed at various sites in San Diego Bay in 1993 and 1995

In 1993 collections of marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were deployed 1 m from the water surface at six sites in San Diego Bay for 88 days. A similar mussel deployment was conducted in 1995, except the animals were deployed 1 m off the bottom and only for 32 days. After recovery from the sites, tissue was extracted with dichloromethane and the solvent extracts analyzed for chemical contaminant content and the ability to produce CYP1A1 induction in a transgenic cell line (TV101L cells). The cells used in the assay (P450 RGS) are stably transfected with a plasmid containing firefly luciferase linked to human CYP1A1 promoter sequences. Induction (fold increase compared to control) was determined by luminometry 16 h after application of small volumes (2–10 μl) of solvent extracts to cultured cells. Small mussels deployed in the Naval Station (NAV) in 1993 exhibited very high bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; 52 μg/g) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in addition to very strong induction of CYP1A1 measured by reporter gene system (RGS) responses. Large mussels deployed at the NAV station in 1993 and intermediate-sized animals placed at three stations within the NAV station in 1995 accumulated 13–29 μg PAH/g and exhibited relatively high RGS responses. Correlation of RGS responses for all mussel samples to the measured PAH concentrations was 0.85 (r²). When the concentrations of seven specific PAHs found in the samples are converted to benzo[a]pyrene equivalents, from previously derived toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for this test system, and compared to measured RGS responses, the correlations are approximately 0.9. The results of these studies indicate that the RGS biomarker can be used as a screening tool for detection of CYP1A1-inducing compounds in tissues, and an estimate of potential human health or ecological risk from ingestion of contaminated organisms. Positive RGS responses can be followed by detailed chemical analyses of PAHs and coplanar PCBs using the same extract.     

Distribution of PACs in surficial sediments and bioavailability to mussels, Mytilus edulis of Halifax Harbour

Surficial sediments and blue mussels were collected around the perimeter of Halifax Harbour. Samples were analysed for the levels and fingerprint of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). The objective was to explore the relationship between contaminant profiles in sediments and in mussels and to explore the possibility of deducing their sources, pattern of deposition and circulation in the harbour. Combustion derived compounds predominated in both sets of samples, with more variability observed in the level of petroleum derived hydrocarbons in mussel samples. Biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAF, dry/dry wt.) varied throughout the harbour, ranging from means of 0.006 to 1.26, where generally fluoranthene displayed the highest BSAF. Sediments and mussels give complementary views of the geographical distribution of contaminants, they reflect the state of benthic and pelagic habitats. Results observed for Halifax Harbour are discussed from the perspective of published data.     

Comparison between petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations and magnetic properties in Chennai coastal sediments,Bay of Bengal,INDIA

Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations (PHC) of surface sediments along the Chennai coast, India, were measured by UV-Fluorescence (UVF) Spectroscopy and the results are expressed in terms of Chrysene equivalents. The concentration of PHC in sediment varies widely (from 1.88 ppm to 39.76 ppm) as compared to the baseline (1.88 ppm) with higher values obtained in the northern part of the study area. The highest magnetic susceptibility (96.8 × 10⁻⁸ m³kg⁻¹) value was determined from the Chennai harbour area. The magnetic parameters show that the Chennai coastal sediments are dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals. The positive correlation (r² = 0.86; p < 0.05) between petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations and magnetic susceptibility suggests that the magnetic minerals and petroleum hydrocarbons along the Chennai coast are derived from the same sources. Factor analysis shows that the magnetic concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ_ARM and SIRM) covary with the petroleum hydrocarbon concentration, suggesting that large amounts of magnetic minerals originate from anthropogenic activities. It is evident that using magnetic measurements may be considered a simple, rapid, cheap and non-destructive method to determine petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in coastal sediments. Furthermore, this technique may be applied to petroleum exploration studies. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in sediments have been proposed as complementary or alternative means of exploration and assessment of hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

绿藻水溶性多糖的研究概况和进展

对近年来绿藻多糖的提纯方法、组成结构及应用的研究进展进行了综述。绿藻多糖的提纯需要经过样品的前处理、提取和精制三个步骤,提取方法包括酸提、酶提、加入钙螯合剂提取、微波及超声波辅助提取。绿藻多糖是水溶性的硫酸化杂多糖。从石莼(Ulva)、浒苔(Enteromorpha)、礁膜(Monostroma)、小球藻(Chlorella)、蕨菜(Bracken)及刚毛藻(Bristles)中提取的多糖的化学组成及结构特征各不相同,而且多糖的化学组成和结构特征受提取方式的影响。绿藻多糖的生物相容性、生物可降解性及抗氧化、抗肿瘤、抗凝血、抗炎、免疫调节等多种生物活性使其在食品、医药、化妆品及农业中具有广泛的应用。有关绿藻多糖的精确结构、提纯方法及化学修饰的进一步研究将使绿藻多糖的应用更加广泛。     

Georges bank monitoring program: hydrocarbons in bottom sediments and hydrocarbons and trace metals in tissues

Hydrocarbons in sediments and hydrocarbons and trace metals in tissues from Georges Bank were analyzed to evaluate potential changes to the henthic environment resulting from exploratory drilling operations. Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations varied with grain size: concentrations up to 2·5μg/g dry weight total aromatic equivalents occurred in the fine-grained sediments of Lydonia Canyon and the ‘Mud Patch’ area south of Martha's Vineyard, whereas concentrations were less than I μg/g dry weight in sediments from the shallow areas of Georges Bank, at a regional control site, and at the site of drilling operations. Increases in total aromatic equivalents from approximately 0·1 μg/g dry weight to 0·4 μg/g dry weight were measured in sediments from a site 0.25 km from the drill rig concurrent with drilling operations. Petrogenic hydrocarbons were detected in both drilling fluid extracts and in sediments collected during drilling operations, suggesting short-term deposition of drilling discharges in near-rig sediments. Drilling discharge residues were not observed in the near-rig sediments one month after drilling operations were terminated. Furthermore, hydrocarbon residues from drilling discharges werenot observed in sediments from stations located at distances greater than 6 km from the drill site either during or subsequent to the drilling operations.     

Hydrocarbon source rock potential in the southwestern Gulf of Suez graben: Insights from organic geochemistry and palynofacies studies on well samples from the Ras El Bahar Oilfield

Palynological and biomarker characteristics of organic facies recovered from Cretaceous–Miocene well samples in the Ras El Bahar Oilfield, southwest Gulf of Suez, and their correlation with lithologies, environments of deposition and thermal maturity have provided a sound basis for determining their source potential for hydrocarbons. In addition to palynofacies analysis, TOC/Rock-Eval pyrolysis, kerogen concentrates, bitumen extraction, carbon isotopes and saturated and aromatic biomarkers enable qualitative and quantitative assessments of sedimentary organic matter to be made. The results obtained from Rock-Eval pyrolysis and molecular biomarker data indicate that most of the samples come from horizons that have fair to good hydrocarbon generation potential in the study area. The Upper Cretaceous–Paleocene-Lower Eocene samples contain mostly Type-II to Type-III organic matter with the capability of generating oil and gas. The sediments concerned accumulated in dysoxic–anoxic marine environments. By contrast, the Miocene rocks yielded mainly Type-III and Type-II/III organic matter with mainly gas-generating potential. These rocks reflect deposition in a marine environment into which there was significant terrigenous input. Three palynofacies types have been recognized. The first (A) consists of Type-III gas-prone kerogen and is typical of the Early–Middle Miocene Belayim, Kareem and upper Rudeis formations. The second (B) has mixed oil and gas features and characterizes the remainder of the Rudeis Formation. The third association (C) is dominated by amorphous organic matter, classified as borderline Type-II oil-prone kerogen, and is typical of the Matulla (Turonian–Santonian) and Wata (Turonian) formations. Rock-Eval T_max, PI, hopane and sterane biomarkers consistently indicate an immature to early mature stage of thermal maturity for the whole of the studied succession.     

曹妃甸近岸海域石油烃污染物的来源与空间分布研究

以曹妃甸邻近海域为研究区,利用生物标志化合物地球化学参数分析了表层沉积物中石油烃类的主要组成和分布特征,探讨了石油烃污染物的来源。结果表明,曹妃甸邻近海域表层沉积物中正构烷烃为混源,且陆源贡献小于海洋源。地质构型藿烷、甾烷在甾萜类化合物中为优势组分,且萜甾烷参数显示了有机质成熟度较高。饱和烃的多种地球化学参数显示了该区域表层沉积物可能受到成熟度较高的石油烃输入及其后期微生物降解的影响。该研究将为曹妃甸近岸沉积物输移研究提供基础资料,进而为曹妃甸围填海工程的科学决策提供相关科学数据。     

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.     

金顶铅锌矿床油气地球化学特征及其成矿作用探讨

金顶铅锌矿区上三叠统三合洞组角砾状灰岩为其主要容矿岩层 ,最近在与金顶矿床共生的灰岩角砾岩、深灰色泥晶灰岩和灰色云化灰岩中发现多层稠油储层及油气包裹体。包裹体烃类地球化学研究表明存在多源性母质输入 ,油气母源类型以藻类及细菌等微生物贡献为主 ,沉积水体介质为高盐度、较强还原环境 ,源岩演化处于低成熟～成熟。铅锌金属与稠油的共生、金属硫化物的有机生物硫特征、有机质富集地区矿化强烈等均表明有机质与金属成矿存在相互作用。按照不同世代有机质与金属成矿作用机理 ,本区有机成矿以配合作用及吸附、还原作用为主 ,有机质的存在增加了铅锌离子的溶解度 ,促进了铅锌金属离子的迁移和富集 ,有利于产生铅锌金属沉淀的还原环境。     

Relationship between hydrocarbons and bacterial activity in mediterranean sediments: Part 2—hydrocarbon degrading activity of bacteria from sediments

In marine sediments from the Mediterranean coast polluted by oil spills (Etang de Berre) high bacterial activity is responsible for self-purification, samples collected from these areas showing a bacterial density several orders of magnitude higher than samples from non-polluted areas (Isle des Embiez). Between 60 and 80 % of the heterotrophic bacteria in the polluted areas are hydrocarbon-degrading, compared with 0.01 % in the non-polluted area.Several strains of hydrocarbon utilisers were isolated, a mixture of strains from each biotope was taken to represent a ‘biotope population’ and their activity towards different types of hydrocarbons (n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics) was determined.With ammonia as the nitrogen source the ‘biotope population’ from the polluted area degraded hydrocarbons much more readily than the ‘biotope population’ from the non-polluted area. With nitrate as the nitrogen source the degradation was much reduced, and, for some hydrocarbons, ceased in both ‘populations’.Individual hydrocarbons encouraged the growth of individual strains in the ‘biotope population’. In natural mixtures of hydrocarbons all strains grew well and degraded aliphatics. There was a good correlation between the respiratory activity of the ‘biotope population’ and the ability of the ‘population’ to utilise hydrocarbons for growth.     

Hydrocarbon pollution of the Mediterranean coastline of Morocco

Organic geochemical study of hydrocarbon pollution of the Mediterranean coastline of Morocco (Tangier-Nador) was performed during March–April 2002. It corresponds to a preliminary work representing an initial assessment of oil contamination of Moroccan coast.Three coastal sites corresponding to Tangier, Tetouan and Nador, representing the main built-up area of this marine region, were selected for superficial sediments, water and organism sampling. Results showed high contamination levels in these three selected sites, known as the most exposed areas to urban and industrial discharges. The maximal contamination corresponding to the sum of non-aromatic (NAH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) encountered in sediment samples was about 553 μg/g (dw). Nevertheless, even a small city agglomeration without any industrial activity showed high values reaching 370 μg/g (dw), which confirm the important hydrocarbons input coming from discharges of fishing ships and oil transporting tankers.The obtained results from this survey reflecting in part the important amounts drained via effluents toward the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts, presented to the concerned authorities drove to the realization of the project of treatment of the wastewater.They later expect to lower rates by 50%, which is still insufficient for a fragile ecosystem such as the Mediterranean and sensitive to anthropogenic effects.     

Mussels document loss of bioavailable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the return to baseline conditions for oiled shorelines in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in mussels (Mytilus trossulus) collected between 1990 and 2002 from 11 sites on the shores of Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, that were heavily oiled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS). This study, utilizing the methods of the NOAA Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program, found that concentrations of PAH released from spill remnants have decreased dramatically with time and by 2002 were at or near the range of total PAH (TPAH) of 3-355 ng/g dry weight obtained for mussels from unoiled reference sites in PWS. Time-series TPAH data indicate a mean TPAH half-life in mussel tissues of 2.4 years with a range from 1.4 to 5.3, yielding an annual mean loss of bioaccumulated TPAH of 25%. The petroleum-derived TPAH fraction in mussel tissues has decreased with time, reflecting the decreasing release of EVOS residues in shoreline sediments. These results show that PAH from EVOS residues that remain buried in shoreline sediments after the early 1990s are in a form and at locations that have a low accessibility to mussels living in the intertidal zone.     

Orthogonal design for optimization of pigment extraction from surface sediments of the Changjiang River Estuary

Using a suitable solvent for extracting pigments from sediment for high performance liquid chro-matography (HPLC) analysis is critical for obtaining qualitative and quantitative estimates of phytoplanktonic and benthic algal biomass, as well as community composition. Five methodolog-ical factors (sample dehydration, extraction solvent, extraction duration, number of extractions, and ratio of solvent volume: sample weight) were studied using an L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal design in a sedimentary pigment extraction experiment on samples collected from the Changjiang large-river delta-front estuary (LDE), using HPLC analysis. The results show that the optimal extraction method for sedimentary pigments should include freeze-drying samples prior to extraction. The effects of different factors on sedimentary pigment extraction were separated by the L₉ (3⁴) or-thogonal design experiments and showed that the extraction solvent was the most important, with extraction duration the second most important, and numbers of extraction and ratio of solvent vol-ume: sample weight was the least important. The mixed solvent treatment comprised of acetone, methanol and water (80:15:5, by volume) was best for polar pigment extraction, with 100% acetone better for apolar pigments. For most pigments employed in this study (i.e., peridinin, fucoxanthin, alloxanthin, diatoxanthin, zeaxanthin, pheophytin-a and β-carotene), 3 h was found to be enough time for extraction from these deltaic sediments. However, for chlorophyll-a, the most important pigment used for estimating algal biomass, 12 h was needed. A small amount of solvent (3 ml) with duplicate extractions obtained the greatest amount and diversity of pigments. Unfortunately, no extraction method was found to be suitable for all pigments in sediments. The choice of extraction procedure should be made in accordance with the objective of each study, taking into consideration the properties of sediments and pigments in question.