Chronic sublethal effects of the water soluble fractions of no. 2 fuel oils on the marine isopod, Sphaeroma quadridentatum

Two series of experiments were carried out to assess the long-term effects of the water soluble fractions (WSF) of fuel oils on the marine isopod, Sphaeroma quadridentatum. In one experiment, juvenile isopods (one month old) were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0·1% to 15% WSF) of a fuel oil (Baytown, Exxon) at room temperatures of 24 ± 1–6°C for nine months. These isopods survived to maturity and reproduced. However, growth rate was adversely affected at concentration ≥ 3% WSF and fecundity was depressed at concentrations ≥ 1% WSF. Survival of offspring in clean seawater was dependent to a large extent on the history of the previous generation. Offspring from groups exposed to ≥ 1% WSF experienced high mortality (> 70% within five weeks) even in clean seawater. This may imply that a population of Sphaeroma exposed to WSF as low as 0·2 ppm may eventually disappear, although animals can grow to maturity and reproduce at concentrations < 3 ppm.In another experiment, adult Sphaeroma (three months old) were subjected to the WSFs of four fuel oils (Baton Rouge, Baytown, Montana and New Jersey) for one month. Fecundity was depressed at a concentration > 15% WSF, regardless of the kind of fuel oil. On the other hand, the number of young produced bythe surviving females varied with the type of fuel oil for the same level of WSF. This may be attributed to different relative amounts of toxic components present in the WSF.     

Toxicity of Santa Barbara seep oil to starfish embryos: Part 3—influence of parental exposure and the effects of other crude oils

We exposed the bat starfish, Patiria miniata, to the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of oil from a natural seep near Santa Barbara, California, during the first 48 hours of embryological growth. There were no consistent differences among populations whose parents were from areas with differing levels of hydrocarbon exposure. In a second experiment, the order of decreasing toxicity of crude oils to the embryos was: Monterey Zone > Rincon Zone > Prudhoe Bay > Isla Vista Seep. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of natural seeps and oil characteristics.     

Degradation of crude oils byPseudomonas sp. in enriched seawater medium

Microbial degradation of five crude oils such as Arabian light, Berri, Murban, Khafji and Minas crude oil by a pure bacterial strain,Pseudomonas sp. isolated from the sea water sampled at Kawasaki Harbor in Tokyo Bay, was studied experimentally in the enriched seawater medium.The degradation of crude oils was determined in total residual oil and in four fractions of saturated, aromatics, asphaltene and column residue by use of the column chromatography with activated alumina.The saturated fraction was shown to be most biodegradable. The aromatics followed for all five crude oils examined and the asphaltene was biodegradable to some extent. The column residue was not apparently degraded byPseudomonas sp. within 30 days. Each of Arabian light, Berri or Murban crude oil was degraded from 59 to 63.5 %, Khafji crude oil 49 % and Minas crude oil, solid at room temperature, only 33 %. Degradation rate of the five crude oils was determined to be in a range from 2.88 to 17.3 mg-oil 1^–1 hr^–1 or from 6.0×10^–12 to 1.56×10^–10 mg-oil cell^–1 hr^–1. Relative degradation ofn-paraffins of different carbon numbers in the saturated fraction was found to be similar regardless of carbon number for the five crude oils.     

Toxicity of a fuel oil to the eggs of parhyale hawaiensis and amphithoe valida (amphipoda)

Experiments were carried out on the toxicity of a fuel oil to developing embryos and juveniles of two marine amphipods. Parhyale hawaiensis eggs were able to develop from early germinal disc stage (early eggs) to juvenile form in concentrations of 10 (2 ppm) up to 40% (8 ppm) WSF, but deleterious effects were evident in hatching success of eggs and survival of juveniles at concentrations ≥ 10% WSF. The juveniles that hatched from those eggs in higher WSFs had greater mortality than the juveniles that hatched from the eggs exposed to lower WSFs. Survival of juveniles from late eggs (cephalic region differentiated) was also greater than those from early eggs. Amphithoe valida eggs were more sensitive to the WSF of fuel oil than the eggs of P. hawaiensis; < 10% of the test eggs hatched in the 4 ppm WSF compared with 66% of P. hawaiensis eggs at the same concentration. The toxicity of fuel oil to the two amphipod eggs is therefore dependent on the concentration and duration of exposure on the one hand, and on the developmental stages and probably the nature of the egg case on the other.     

Sensitivity of two psychrophilic diatoms to crude oil and fuel oil

Two pure cultures of diatoms, a Nitzschia sp. and a Chaetoceros sp., were grown at 0°C or 10°C in the presence of two crude oils and two fuel oils. The petroleum samples were absorbed onto filter paper discs and added directly to the algal cultures. In all cases the organisms were much more sensitive to the crude oils or fuel oils when growing at 0°C than at 10°C. The rate of photosynthesis measured by an oxygen electrode for Nitzschia sp. grown and tested at 0°C was not affected during 3 hours' incubation with some four times the amount of a crude oil or fuel oil that blocked growth. The experiments lead to the cautious suggestion that psychrophilic algae will prove some fivefold more sensitive than mesophilic algae to petroleum pollution.     

The combined effect of salinity,temperature and oil on the growth pattern of embryos of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus Walbaum

Embryos of the estuarine teleost, Fundulus heteroclitus, were exposed during development to different concentrations of the water-soluble fractions (WSF) of a No. 2 fuel oil under various temperature-salinity combinations. Temperatures and salinities were, respectively: 20, 25 or 30°C and 10, 20 or 30%S. The WSF were extracted from No. 2 fuel oil daily and diluted to concentrations of 15, 20 or 25% of the original mixture. Controls were exposed to seawater without WSF at each temperature-salinity combination.The length of eleutheroembryos was markedly decreased by exposure to WSF. Temperature exerted an effect on growth at low WSF concentrations (0 and 15% WSF) but not at higher ones. The two highest WSF concentrations had a predominant effect on growth that was not further modified by physical factor influences. Conversely, as the WSF exposure increased, the yolk diameter increased, indicating a decreased utilisation of yolk material during development. The mean number of vertebrae in the eleutheroembryos decreased at high WSF concentrations and at high temperatures. Morphological abnormalities consisted predominantly of spinal deformations (scoliosis and lordosis). The data indicate that the survivors of chemical toxicity during embryo development exhibit sublethal responses which would reduce their survival potential in later life.     

南海原油和燃料油对仔虾和仔鱼的急性毒性试验

测定了南海原油、0号柴油和20号柴油对斑节对虾Penaeusmonodon、日本对虾Penaeusjoponicus、刀额新对虾Metapenaeusensis3种仔虾和黄鳍鲷和Sparuslatus、黑鲷Sparusmacrocephalus、前鳞鲻MugilOphuyseni和七星鲈Lateolabraxjaponicus4种仔鱼的急性毒性。油类对仔虾和仔鱼的毒性大小顺序均为：0号柴油＞20号柴油＞南海原油。油类分散液的毒性大于其水溶性组分。在曝油的3种仔虾中,刀额新对虾对0号柴油和20号柴油的耐受力最弱,而日本对虾对南海原油最为敏感。曝油仔鱼对3种油类的耐受力顺序为：黄鳍绸＞黑鲷＞前鳞鲻,而七星鲈对0号柴油最为敏感。3种仔虾对油类的耐受力明显低于4种仔鱼。     

Toxicity of Santa Barbara seep oil to starfish embryos: Part 2—the growth bioassay

The asteroid Patiria miniata was used to develop a static bioassay for various crude oil water-soluble fractions (WSF). The criterion used is the size of 48-h exposed embryos. The reasons for choosing this species and the growth criterion are discussed. Experiments show that the body length of 48-h exposed embryos is inversely proportional to hydrocarbon concentration of the WSF and the time of exposure. It is also shown that the toxicity of the WSF decreases with the age of the preparation and that the first 12 h following fertilisation are most sensitive to the effects of WSF.     

短期风化对混合溢油组成的影响

对两种原油进行混合配比实验,将混合后油样置于人工气候箱进行风化模拟实验,采用气相色谱质谱联用仪(GC-MS)检测风化样品中的生物标志化合物,短期风化作用对混合溢油的油指纹、生物标志化合物诊断指标等的影响。结果表明,混合溢油的正构烷烃总质量变化与单一原油油品的变化规律相近,即前期风化较快,质量减损较多,而后期风化趋缓,不同混合比例的溢油表现差异不明显。常用于短期风化的诊断比值对各混合油样的风化具有指示意义,但难以定性鉴别油品是否发生混合。重复性限法检验只能判定短期风化过程前后的油样为同一油源,而难以反映油样是否为混合油源的特征,各诊断比值的RSD%值较大可能是混合溢油的一个表现。     

Exposure of phytoplankton to ekofisk crude oil

Solutions of Ekofisk crude oil in sea water were prepared by slow stirring for 21h in a closed system. Headspace and GC/MS techniques were applied to establish dose composition and levels. The standardized test medium produced in a closed system contained approximately 14 mg oil per litre and was dominated by low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols.The toxicity of the standarized oil-containing medium to three marine diatoms was studied in a cage culture turbidostat and by conventional batch culture technique. The three algal species differed in sensitivity to the oil compounds, but showed identical ranking in both test systems.Standardized test medium diluted to 50% with respect to oil content stopped the growth of the most sensitive alga, Skeletonema costatum. For comparison naphthalene was applied and gave 50 % growth reduction at a concentration of 400 μg litre^?1. The growth of Chaetoceros ceratosporum was only slighty affected by the full strength standard test medium, which had no influence on the growth of Phaeodactylum tricornutum, the least sensitive organism. The presence of an oil layer on the surface of the standard test medium during the growth test greatly increased its toxicity and blocked completely the photosynthesis even of P. tricornutum after 4 days.     

多环芳烃油指纹应用于船舶溢油鉴别研究

溢油种类主要包括船舶燃料油和原油,二者性质的差异决定了鉴别方法也相应不同,寻求适合于船舶溢油的鉴别方法具有重要意义。在使用柱色谱层析方法对样品进行分离前处理的基础上,以气相色谱/质谱方法(GC-MS)为主要分析手段,对溢油样品和可疑船舶溢油源样品的多环芳烃油指纹特征进行对比,并在多环芳烃油指纹参数的基础上进一步进行多环芳烃内组成三角图分布特征与聚类分析研究,成功为珠江口水域某船舶溢油事故追踪到肇事溢油源。结果表明:取自丁船的油样和现场溢油样芳烃油指纹特征最为相近,是此次溢油事故的溢油源。受风化作用后的船舶燃料油中饱和烃类化合物数量稀少,且含量极低,不适合用于溢油鉴别,而多环芳烃类化合物较饱和烃类化合物而言具有含量高、种类丰富的特点,是该类溢油鉴别的主要油指纹依据。使用油指纹参数进行可疑溢油源识别时,充分考虑油品中有机分子所受风化影响程度的不同是风化条件下溢油鉴定的关键。因此,多环芳烃油指纹可以有效应用于船舶燃料油溢油的鉴别。     

原油污染对栉孔扇贝抗氧化酶活性的影响

以原油水溶性成分(water soluble fraction of crude oil,WSF)为污染物,采用暴露实验法,研究了栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)鳃和消化腺组织中超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide Dismutase,SOD)和过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)活性的变化.结果表明,WSF污染下,鳃和消化腺组织SOD和CAT酶活性随暴露时间增加一般表现为降低-升高-降低的趋势,酶活性达到最高的时间随浓度不同而变化.第1天时消化腺SOD在0.08 mg/L浓度下被诱导,而后随时间增加表现为抑制效应;浓度为0.21和0.88 mg/L时消化腺SOD酶活性被抑制,随暴露时间延长而活性增加.暴露时间为4d时,石油烃浓度在0.08和0.88 mg/L时鳃组织SOD酶活性均被抑制,而浓度为0.21 mg/L时被诱导.消化腺和鳃组织SOD可以作为扇贝被污染胁迫的指标.     

Effects of dietary and water-borne oil exposure on larval pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi)

Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) larvae were exposed either directly to the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of crude oil or indirectly via oil-contaminated prey (OCP) (Artemia salina) for <- 28 days, to determine the relative effects of diet and water as routes of contamination. Larvae were affected rapidly by 0·9 ppm WSF, which caused high larval mortality, reduced swimming ability and rapid reductions in feeding rates. Larval length was significantly reduced by 0·7 ppm WSF in 7 days and by 0·3 ppm WSF within 14 days. The WSF exposure also caused similar reductions in larval weights. Highly contaminated prey (6 ppm prey exposure) caused significant mortality, but surviving larvae appeared robust. The OCP did not affect swimming, feeding, or growth. Exposure of larvae was not significantly extended by OCP, which rapidly depurated WSF in clean water (98% in 1 day). Therefore, OCP is probably not an important source of low molecular weight petroleum contamination to larval fish in the marine environment.     

The sea-surface microlayer of puget sound: Part II. Concentrations of contaminants and relation to toxicity

Many aquatic contaminants, because of low water solubility (hydrophobicity) or association with floatable particles, concentrate at the sea surface. Thirty-six samples of the sea-surface microlayer (SMIC), the upper 50 μm, were collected from sites in Puget Sound, Washington State. Sites included three urban bays, central Puget Sound, and a rural reference site. Exposure of floating fish eggs to approximately half of these samples resulted in sublethal and lethal toxic effects (Hardy et al., 1987c).Chemical analyses revealed high concentrations of contaminants in many of the samples. Major temporal and spatial differences in sea-surface chemistry occurred, but maximum (for all) and mean (for 1985) concentrations were aromatic hydrocarbons, 8030 (mean 132) μg liter⁻¹: saturate hydrocarbons, 2060 μg liter⁻¹: pesticides, 43·8 (mean 0·46) ng liter⁻¹; PCBs, 3890 (mean 631) ng liter⁻¹; and total metals, 4750 (mean 626) μg liter⁻¹. Stepwise multivariate regression indicated that the percentage of fish eggs developing to normal live larvae decreased with increasing concentrations of a complex mixture of contaminants. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the major types of contaminants did not differ greatly in their statistical contribution to the toxicity, i.e. no single chemical was responsible for the observed toxicity.The chemical composition of the SMIC samples suggested that contamination originated from a variety of sources including atmospheric deposition, terrestrial runoff of fossil fuel combustion products, and sewage disposal.     

The combined effect of copper and hydrocarbons on the length growth of Mytilus edulis

The combined effect of copper and North Sea crude oil is tested on juvenile Mytilus edulis. Dissolved CuSO₄ x 5H₂O is added to the seawater in concentrations of 3 and 6 μg Cu litre^-1. Crude oil, microencapsulated in a gelatine/acacia structure, is added in concentrations of 1·5 and 3·0 mg oil litre^-1. The shell length growth is measured every 24 h with laser diffraction. Linear effects were observed for single components within 24 h of exposure and significant antagonistic interaction appeared within 48 h. Reduced growth rate coincided with reduced filtering and defaecation, and reduced byssus production.     

Characteristics and origin of carbon isotopes of n-alkanes in crude oils from the western Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China sea

The quantitative characterization of carbon isotopes of n-alkanes is commonly carried out in organic geochemical studies. Possible controls on carbon isotopes include source organic matter, maturity, fractionation during oil expulsion and migration, and the mixing of different oils. In this study of the origin of crude oils in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin, the influences of all of these factors have been considered in reaching a conclusion. Carbon isotopes of n-alkanes in the crude oils, and the extracts of the two effective source rocks (the Wenchang and Enping formations) in the basin, exhibit clear differences. The Wenchang source rocks have heavy δ¹³C values that remain almost constant or become slightly heavier with increasing carbon number. The Enping source rocks have light δ¹³C values that become lighter with increasing carbon number. Two groups of oils in this area were identified based on the carbon isotopes of the n-alkanes; groupIoils are similar to extracts of the Wenchang source rocks. However, the groupIIoils are different from both the Wenchang and Enping source rocks and the carbon isotopic profiles of their n-alkanes exhibit a “V” feature with increasing carbon number. The results of artificial thermal maturation experiments indicate that, from the early stage to the peak stage of oil generation (with EasyRo between 0.64% and 1.02%), the δ¹³C values of n-alkanes in the pyrolysis oils become heavier by about 3‰ with increasing thermal maturity, but the shape of the carbon isotopic profiles are not significantly changed. Calculated δ¹³C values of n-alkanes in “mixed” artificial pyrolysis oils indicate that the mixture of oils generated from the same source rocks with different maturities could not change the carbon isotopic profile of the n-alkanes, however, a mixing of the Wenchang and Enping oils could give the “V” feature in the profiles, similar to the groupIIoils in this area. The groupIIoils appear to be mixed Wenchang and Enping oils, the latter being the dominant component in the mixture. We conclude that the source organic matter and the degree of mixing are the main factors controlling the carbon isotopic characteristics of n-alkanes in crude oils in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin.     

Reproductive life history stages sensitive to oil and naphthalene in Atlantic croaker

The reproductive effects of chronic exposure to water-soluble fractions (WSF) of diesel fuel oil and naphthalene in female Atlantic croaker during critical periods of their reproductive life history were investigated. Fish were repeatedly exposed to WSF of oil (2.5 or 5%) or naphthalene (0.5 or 1.0 ppm) for 5 or 8 weeks. Both pollutants blocked sexual maturation in some fish and impaired ovarian recrudescence in others. The majority of the oocytes in exposed fish were undeveloped and widespread oocyte atresia was evident at higher concentrations of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The disruption of ovarian growth and oocyte development in croaker after PAH exposure was associated with alterations in reproductive endocrine function at multiple sites on the hypothalamus-pituitarygonadal axis. A third period of increased sensitivity to xenobiotics was observed during final oocyte maturation.     

The petroleum geochemistry of the Termit Basin,Eastern Niger

Sixty crude oils from the Termit Basin (Eastern Niger) were analysed using biomarker distributions and bulk stable carbon isotopic compositions. Comprehensive oil-to-oil correlation indicates that there are two distinct families in the Termit Basin. The majority of the oils are geochemically similar and characterized by low Pr/Ph (pristane to phytane ratios) and high gammacerane/C₃₀ hopane ratios, small amounts of C₂₄ tetracyclic terpanes but abundant C₂₃ tricyclic terpane, and lower δ¹³C values for saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions. All of these geochemical characteristics indicate possible marine sources with saline and reducing depositional environments. In contrast, oils from well DD-1 have different geochemical features. They are characterized by relatively higher Pr/Ph and lower gammacerane/C₃₀ hopane ratios, higher amounts of C₂₄ tetracyclic terpane but a low content of C₂₃ tricyclic terpane, and relatively higher δ¹³C values for saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions. These geochemical signatures indicate possible lacustrine sources deposited under freshwater, suboxic-oxic conditions. This oil family also has a unique biomarker signature in that there are large amounts of C₃₀ 4α-methylsteranes indicating a freshwater lacustrine depositional environment.The maturity of the Termit oils is assessed using a number of maturity indicators based on biomarkers, alkyl naphthalenes, alkyl phenanthrenes and alkyl dibenzothiophenes. All parameters indicate that all of the oils are generated by source rocks within the main phase of the oil generation stage with equivalent vitrinite reflectance of 0.58%–0.87%.     

The effects of a water-soluble petroleum fraction on the neuroid electrical activity of the hydroid coelenterate Tubularia crocea

Several properties of the excitable epithelium of the hydroid coelenterate, Tubularia crocea, are affected by a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Platform Holly, Monterey Formation, crude oil (100% WSF= 20 ppm total hydrocarbons). In a flowing seawater system, 0·5 ml pulses of 1 WSF cause a significant increase in the epithelial pulse activity, while a 10·min exposure to 0·1% WSF produces a significant increase in the epithelial pulse frequency. Electrophysiological responses to the volatile and non-volatile subfractions are equal, but significantly lower than those to the whole WSF. Behaviorally, the 100% WSF elicits a more vigorous proximal tentacle closure than either its volatile or non-volatile subfraction. However, the closure response to the volatile subfraction exceeds that for the non-volatile component.Of the two epithelial neuroid pulse systems, the hydranth pulse (HP) system is affected to a greater extent than the neck pulse (NP) system. During 10 minutes' treatment with 100% WSF the amplitude of the neck pulses and hydranth pulses declined by 50% and 80%, respectively. The maximum ³H-toluene uptake from 100% WSF also occurs within this period, and sodium and calcium concentrations fluctuate rapidly. These results suggest that a rapid bioaccumulation of hydrocarbons by T. crocea alters membrane permeability, upsetting critical ion gradients which, in turn, alter the firing frequency of the epithelial conducting systems. This study demonstrates that concentrations of WSF approaching environmentally realistic levels (in areas of chronic pollution) alter the epithelial conducting systems that co-ordinate important elements of behavior in Tubularia. This system provides a sensitive neuroid-behavioral assay for aquatic contaminants.     

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.