Characteristics of dispersions and water-soluble extracts of crude and refined oils and their toxicity to estuarine crustaceans and fish

The quantitative hydrocarbon composition and behavior in seawater of water-soluble fractions (WSF) and oil-in-water dispersions (OWD) of 4 oils was investigated. Two crude oils, South Louisiana crude and Kuwait crude, and two refined oils, No. 2 fuel oil and bunker C residual oil, were used in these investigations. The WSFs of the crude oils had higher total oil-hydrocarbon concentrations and were richer in light aliphatics and single-ring aromatics than were the WSFs of the refined oils. The WSFs of the refined oils contained significantly higher concentrations of naphthalenes than did those of the crudes. The hydrocarbon composition of the aqueous phase of OWDs closely resembled that of the parent oils. Gentle aeration of the OWDs resulted in a loss of 80 to 90% of the aqueous hydrocarbons in 24 h. Alkanes disappeared from the dispersions more rapidly than aromatics. The WSFs and OWDs of the refined oils were considerably more toxic to the 6 test species than were those of the crude oils. The test species can be ranked according to increasing sensitivity to oil as follows: Cyprinodon variegatus, Menidia beryllina, Fundulus similus, Penaeus aztecus postlarvae, Palaemonetes pugio and Mysidopsis almyra. The results of this investigation are discussed in relation to the potential impacts of oil spills on the marine and estuarine environments.     

Automatic sorting of zooplankton by isopycnic sedimentation in gradients of silica: Performance of a “Rho Spectrometer”

The embryonic and larval stages of the quahog clam Mercenaria sp. were exposed to the water-soluble fractions (WSFs) of 6 oils and the effects on survival and growth rate of the various stages were noted. Kuwait crude oil was the least toxic on initial exposure to both stages, having LC₅₀ values in excess of 10 ppm after continuous exposure to the WSF for up to 6 days. However, at 10 days, Kuwait was slightly more toxic than southern Louisiana crude oil, with both oils having LC₅₀ values near 2 ppm. Florida Jay crude oil was much more toxic, with an LC₅₀ of less than 1 ppm at 48 h and less than 0.2 ppm at 10 days. Two refined oils, No. 2 fuel oil and Bunker C, had LC₅₀ values of 1 to 2 ppm after 48 h, while used crankcase motor oil, the most toxic oil tested, had LC₅₀ values of 0.10 ppm or less at all exposure times. Larvae surviving exposure to water-soluble fractions of the various oils often grew at slower rates than the controls.     

Chemical composition and effects of water extracts of petroleum on eggs of the sand dollar Melitta quinquiesperforata

Sperm and eggs of sand dollars, Melitta quinquiesperforata (Leske), were subjected to two petroleum oils, and effects determined. The oils chosen were Kuwait crude and No. 2 fuel oil, supplied by the American Petroleum Institute. Water-soluble extracts (WSF) from oil-sea water mixes were prepared and the major aromatic components in the WSF of the fuel oil were identified. WSF of No. 2 fuel oil depressed respiration, mobility of sperm, interfered with fertilization and cleavage, and retarded larval development. The effects were detectable at dilutions of 4% and less (about 0.6 ppm of WSF). Kuwait crude was much less toxic. There was no effect on water permeability of the egg membrane. Results are compared with similar studies on other marine organisms.     

The effects of three oils on marine phytoplankton photosynthesis

The effects of 3 oils (Venezuelan crude, No. 2 fuel, and No. 6 fuel) on the photosynthesis of natural phytoplankton communities from Bedford Basin, Nova Scotia (Canada), and the northwest Atlantic Ocean between Halifax and Bermuda were examined using a radiocarbon method. The 3 oils can inhibit photosynthesis, and the degree of inhibition depends upon oil type and concentration. The No. 2 fuel oil was the most toxic. Under certain conditions, low concentrations of Venezuelan crude oil can stimulate photosynthesis. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that present levels of oil contamination in Bedford Basin could be inhibiting photosynthesis by a few percent, while present levels in open ocean water have no apparent deleterious effect on photosynthesis.Bedford Institute of Oceanography Contribution.     

Water-soluble components of four fuel oils: Chemical characterization and effects on growth of microalgae

Approximately 50% of the compounds in the water solubles from 4 fuel oils have been identified via gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. In addition to the well-described types of compounds (naphthalenes, benzenes) expected in water-soluble extracts we have found phenols, anilines, and indoles. Of these classes of compounds methyl, dimethyl, and trimethyl derivatives are present in relatively high concentrations. The water solubles from the 4 fuel oils showed considerably different inhibitory effects to growth of 6 microalgae, 2 blue-greens, 2 greens, and 2 diatoms. Two of the fuel-oil extracts, Baytown and Montana, were lethal to blue-green algae. This was in part traceable to their content of p-toluidine which was found to be toxic to Agmenellum quadruplicatum, Strain PR-6, 1 g in the algal lawn-pad assay and 100 g/l in liquid culture. The water-soluble fraction from New Jersey fuel oil was lethal to the 2 green algae, with lesser effects on the 2 blue-greens. The 2 estuarine diatoms used as test organisms were not greatly inhibited by Baytown, Montana, or New Jersey fuel-oil water-soluble extracts. However, earlier work with an American Petroleum Institute fuel oil and the diatom Thallassiosira pseudonana (3H) showed that 3H was a very sensitive organism. Water solubles from the Baton Rouge fuel oil were almost without effect on the growth of all 6 microalgae. On the basis of the work herein and earlier work, a very cautious viewpoint is advisable in generalizing on the toxicity or lack thereof of a given fuel oil on the growth of different kinds of microalgae. On the other hand, with water solubles from toxic fuel oils such as Baytown or New Jersey the data clearly suggest that their potential for environmental damage is high, either through selective or enrichment effects on natural populations or through a lowering of total primary production.     

Stimulation and inhibition of phytoplankton growth by low molecular weight hydrocarbons

Experiments on 4 phylogenetically different phytoplankton exposed in culture to a range of concentrations of benzene, toluene and xylene showed a variety of growth responses for marine microalgae. The degree of influence of these aromatic hydrocarbons, all components of fuel oils and crude oils, varied with concentration, compound and species. Stimulation of growth in Dunaliella tertiolecta resulted from low μg/l concentrations of all three compounds, Skeletonema costatum showed no growth enhancement, while Cricosphaera carterae and Amphidinium carterae were intermediate in their reactions. Closed culture vessels were found to be necessary to retain these volatile hydrocarbons. Many of the previous laboratory studies on oil using standard methods — cotton plugs, screw caps or beakers — have overlooked the important influence of the volatile fraction. The species-specific stimulation of low concentrations was further shown in experiments with mixtures of No. 2 fuel oil. The volatile fraction was most biologically reactive, being the source of growth enhancement at low levels and a major growth inhibitor at high concentrations. Thus, a significant environmental effect of oil on marine primary production could be the growth stimulation of particular species by low molecular weight aromatic compounds resulting in an alteration of the natural phytoplankton community structure and its trophic relationships.     

Short-term effect of microencapsulated hydrocarbons on shell growth of Mytilus edulis

Two North Sea crude oils, weathered crude oil, n-alkanes, medical liquid paraffin and a fish oil were microencapsulated and added to seawater. This gave a medium containing both water soluble fractions (WSF) and oil particles, and thus simulated the conditions in natural seawater contaminated with oil. The microencapsulated oils were fed to Mytilus edulis L. in different concentrations, and the growth in terms of shell length of the mussels was measured in intervals of 24 to 48 h for 4 to 12d. With the crude oilss A and B, weathered crude oil and n-alkanes at concentrations1 mg l^-1, shell growth rate decreased rapidly compared to controls. With liquid paraffin at levels of 1 to 12 mg l^-1, a small but significant negative effect on shell growth occurred after 5 d of exposure. Exposure to fish oil at 1 and 4 mg l^-1 gave no significant reduction in growth rate. The toxicity of the different hydrocarbons was not related to their content of aromatic fractions. Crude oil B was tested at concentrations ranging from 0.12 to 12 mg l^-1. At 0.12 mg l^-1 shell growth was not significantly different from the control, while at 0.25 and 0.50 mg l^-1 a temporary and significant stimulation of growth was observed. The product concentration (C)xresponse (R) shows a linear regression on exposure time (t). The regression model CxR=75-0.18t is used to estimate EC-values (effect of a given concentration) for given response levels. The model gives a very good fit to observed data.     

Toxicity of a rice field herbicide in a nitrogen fixing alga,Cylindrospermum sp

Supplementation of paraquat into the culture medium proved to be highly toxic for a blue-green alga Cylindrospermum sp. A concentration of 15 microg/ml proved algicidal for the test alga. Various concentrations (0.5 microg/ml - 15 microg/ml) of the herbicide affected the growth and reduced chlorophyll and phycocyanin contents of the alga. In addition, it inhibited differentiation of heterocysts and akinetes. The inhibition of algal growth was found to be partially relieved on addition of 500 microg/ml of glucose.     

Effects of exposure to sublethal concentrations of crude oil on the copepod Centropages hamatus

Female copepods of the species Centropages hamatus show decreased ingestion rates and decreased egg viability when exposed to crude oil/seawater dispersions having crude oil concentrations of 10–80 ppb. However, rates of egg production were not significantly affected by these exposure levels. In addition, we found no evidence for accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons by copepods exposed to 200 ppb of South Louisiana crude oil. The results imply that biosynthetic pathways involved in oogenesis may be influenced by sublethal concentrations of crude oil or that petroleum hydrocarbons directly affect the viability of eggs. Recruitment into field populations of copepods could be severely reduced as a consequence of exposure to low levels of physically dispersed crude oil.     

不同油类对虾蟹类幼体的胁迫效应

了解不同油类对虾蟹类幼体的急性毒性效应。曝油处理采用磁力搅拌器搅拌,一定时间的超声波乳化等操作,模拟溢油在海洋中风浪、涡动、湍流的乳化过程;设置阶梯浓度组,并在多个平行组急性试验的基础上,估算出8种油品对2种虾类和2种蟹类的半致死质量浓度LC50和安全质量浓度MPC,并运用程序编制溢油质量浓度与虾蟹类死亡率相关性的估算模型。经过分析,结果得到:各MPC值参差不齐,差距较大;燃料油普遍比原油的毒性效应大;相同生长阶段,蟹类比虾类抗油毒害性强、中国明对虾Fenneropenaeus chinensis比日本囊对虾Marsupenaeus japonicus抗油毒害性强、锯缘青蟹Scylla serrata比三疣梭子蟹Portunus trituberculatu抗油毒害性强。编制的溢油质量浓度与死亡率相关性的评估模型,简易方便直观,为渔业污染事故理赔提供了一定的参考价值,亦为海域的生态经济学评估提供了一种新的研究方法。     

Biological effects of oil on early development of the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras

The effects of petroleum hydrocarbons from two crude oils and one fuel oil (No. 1) were studied on the ontogenic development of the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras L. Herring eggs exposed to water-soluble fractions of the oils at the time of fertilization showed no decrease in numbers of fertilized eggs compared to eggs exposed 6 or 72 h after fertilization. During embryongenesis, treatment with 3.1 to 8.9 ppm or 3.3 to 11.9 ppm total oil hydrocarbons from light fuel oil and the two crude oils respectively, gave rise to alterations in embryonic activity, decreased heart rate, and premature or delayed hatching. Although many larvae hatched from eggs exposed to contaminated water (3.1 to 11.9 ppm total oil hydrocarbons), the majority of the (70 to 100%) were malformed or dead 1 day after hatching. Exposure of eggs to 5.4–5.8 ppm total oil hydrocarbons resulted in significantly (P<0.001) decreased lengths of the larvae. Increased temperature (from 9° to 14°C) aggravated the effects of the oils. The results are discussed in relation to the potential effects of oil spills and chronic oil pollution on fish eggs and larvae in the Baltic Sea.     

A field study of the toxicity of two oils and a dispersant to the mangrove Avicennia marina

The relative toxicities of Arabian Light crude oil, Tirrawarra crude oil, Dispersant BP-AB, and mixtures of oils and dispersant were assessed on 30 mangroves, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. var. resinifera (Forst.) Bakh., in a coastal fringe on the eastern shore of Gulf St. Vincent, South Australia. Five treatments were applied: 100% Arabian Light crude oil, 100% Tirrawarra crude oil, Arabian Light crude oil plus dispersant (1:1), Tirrawarra crude oil plus dispersant (1:1) and 100% dispersant. Five mangroves were used for each of the treatments and five as controls. Defoliation, leaf damage, pneumatophore damage, flowering and fruiting were monitored for three years (September 1982–September 1985). Initially, the toxicity of both oils was increased by the addition of dispersant; Tirrawarra crude oil plus dispersant caused significant defoliation. 100% Tirrawarra crude oil was more toxic than 100% Arabian Light crude oil; the former caused significant leaf damage from Week 4 to Week 12 after treatment. After Week 49 production of new leaves was significantly greater in the Arabian Light crude oil plus dispersant treatment than with the Arabian Light crude oil. No such difference was found between the Tirrawarra treatments. Twelve to 26 weeks after treatment, partial pneumatophore damage was observed in all treatments. No atypical flower or fruit production was observed.     

0~#柴油和流花原油对斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)幼体的急性毒性效应

溢油污染导致的原油和燃料油入海,会对海洋生物的生长发育过程产生影响。为研究溢油污染对海洋虾类的毒性效应,以斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)为研究对象,比较了不同浓度0#柴油和南海流花原油(LH原油)乳化液对斑节对虾不同发育阶段幼体的急性毒性效应。结果表明,3.59 mg·L~(-1)0#柴油和0.77 mg·L~(-1)LH原油乳化液可以显著降低斑节对虾无节幼体变态率(P0.05),且对无节幼体变态具有延迟效应。较之0#柴油,LH原油乳化液对斑节对虾无节幼体发育的影响更为明显。0#柴油对斑节对虾无节幼体、蚤状幼体、糠虾和仔虾的48或96小时半致死浓度(48 h/96 h-LC50)分别为0.55 mg·L~(-1)、0.42 mg·L~(-1)、0.95 mg·L~(-1)和1.09 mg·L~(-1),其对应的安全浓度分别为0.05 mg·L~(-1)、0.04 mg·L~(-1)、0.10 mg·L~(-1)和0.11 mg·L~(-1);LH原油对上述幼体的48 h/96 h-LC50则依次为0.62 mg·L~(-1)、0.51 mg·L~(-1)、1.05 mg·L~(-1)和1.42 mg·L~(-1),对应的安全浓度分别为0.06 mg·L~(-1)、0.05mg·L~(-1)、0.11 mg·L~(-1)和0.14 mg·L~(-1)。斑节对虾不同发育阶段幼体对0#柴油和LH原油的耐受力依次为:仔虾糠虾无节幼体蚤状幼体,0#柴油和LH原油乳化液对斑节对虾的毒性大小为0#柴油LH原油。上述结果为深入研究石油类污染对海洋生物的毒性效应提供了基础数据和理论依据。     

Long-term effects of water-soluble fractions of Kuwait crude oil on the larval and juvenile development of the mud crab Eurypanopeus depressus

Larvae of the mud crab Eurypanopeus depressus (Smith) were reared in various concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of Kuwait crude oil. The 48-h TL_m (median tolerance limit) for Zoea Stage I was approximately 10 ppm total dissolved hydrocarbons and that for Zoea Stage II approximately 17 ppm. Chronic toxicity of more dilute solutions (4.3 and 8.7 ppm) was assessed independently for each larval stage and for subsequent developmental stages through Crab Stage 5. In the group continuously exposed to oil from hatching, there was differential mortality relative to controls in every larval stage and increased duration of intermolt periods was observed at every stage through Crab Stage 5. Mortality in groups not exposed until larvae had reached Zoea Stages III or IV was not greater than controls, suggesting that toxicity to advanced larval stages may be related to accumulation of toxic compounds by the larvae. Neither concentration (4.3 or 8.7 ppm) of crude oil caused increased mortality among juvenile crab stages regardless of the time of initial exposure. Increased occurrence of an extra and morphologically abnormal megalopa stage was associated with exposure to the crude oil. This has not been reported before.Communicated by I. Morris, West Boothbay Harbor     

Effects of crude oil and chemical dispersant on photosynthesis in the brain coral Diploria strigosa

An eight-hour exposure of Diploria strigosa (Dana) to a mixture of Arabian Light crude oil (19 ppm) and the chemical dispersant “Corexit 9527” (1 ppm) in a flowing seawater system reduced photosynthesis by symbiotic zooxanthellae by 85%, while either oil or dispersant alone had no effect. The greatest effect of crude oil plus dispersant occurred in the incorporation of photosynthetic products into lipids. Synthesis of was esters and triglycerides, the major storage lipids, was particularly affected. Total carbon fixation was restored within 3–5 h after treatment, and lipid synthesis was restored within 5–24 h after exposure.     

Allelopathic inhibition on red tide microalgae by five macroalgal extracts

This study aims to identify effective antialgal allelochemicals from marine macroalgae that inhibit the growth of red tide microalgae. Practically, new algicidal agents were developed to control red tide. The growth inhibitory effects of 5 marine macroalgae Porphyra tenera, Laminaria japonica, Ulva pertusa, Enteromorpha clathrata, and Undaria pinnatifida on Skeletonema costatum were evaluated by adding crude seawater extracts of macroalgal dry tissue into the culture medium containing S. costatum. The half-effective concentrations at 120 h (EC_{50, 120 h}) of the seawater extracts were 0.6, 0.9, 1.0, 1.0, and 4.7 g/L for the five macroalgae above, respectively. E. clathrata, L. japonica and U. pertusa showed strong allelopathic effect on the growth of S. costatum. There have been no previous reports with regard to the allelopathic effects of the former two macroalgae so far. The possible allelochemicals of 21 compounds of the E. clathrata were detected using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Unsaturated fatty acids, acrylic acid (C₃H₄O₂), and linolenic acid (C₁₈H₃₀O₂) were the most likely allelochemicals in E. clathrata.     

重质原油和轻质原油水溶性组分对紫贻贝(Mytilus edulis)毒理效应的研究

近年来,海洋石油开采与运输泄漏、石油及产品离岸排放等事故逐年增多,对近海海域生态环境产生了巨大破坏。为探究重质原油和轻质原油对紫贻贝(Mytilus edulis)毒理效应,测定了不同浓度重质原油和轻质原油暴露下紫贻贝鳃和外套膜中过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性及体内石油烃的含量变化。结果显示,石油污染暴露下,紫贻贝腮和外套膜中CAT和SOD活性变化明显,与暴露浓度和暴露时间有关。CAT活性在轻质原油组随着浓度的增大,呈现下降趋势,且随着暴露时间的延长呈现先下降后上升趋势;在重质原油暴露组,随着浓度的增大,呈现先上升后下降趋势,且随着暴露时间的延长呈现先下降后上升趋势。SOD活性在轻质原油与重质原油暴露组,随着浓度的增大,呈现下降趋势,且随着暴露时间的延长呈现上升趋势并存在一定的剂量-效应关系。重质原油和轻质原油暴露168 h后紫贻贝体内总石油烃含量呈线性递增,生物富集系数(BCF)随着暴露浓度的增加不断减小并最终趋于平稳。结果表明,以紫贻贝腮和外套膜中SOD和CAT活性作为石油烃污染的生物标志物具有一定应用前景,紫贻贝对原油溶液中石油烃的生物富集作用可用来判断污染原油的来源和性质。     

Relative toxicity of spent lubricant oil and detergent against benthic macro-invertebrates of a west African estuarine lagoon

The relative acute toxicity of spent lubricant oil and detergent was evaluated against hermit crab, Clibanarius africanus (Aurivillus) and periwinkle, Tympanotonus fuscatus (L) from the Lagos lagoon in laboratory bioassays. Based on the derived toxicity indices, the detergent (96 hr LC50 = 5.77ml/l) was found to be 1.73 times more toxic than spent engine oil (96 hr LC50 = 10.01 ml/l) when acting singly against C africanus and 18.73 times (96 hr LC50-48.67 ml/l) more toxic (96 hr LC50 = 911.57 ml/l) when acting singly against T. fuscatus. On the basis of the computed susceptibility factors, C. africanus was found to be about eight times and ninety-one times more susceptible to the toxic effect of detergent and spent lubricant oil respectively. The randomized analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was significant difference (Fcal 58.83 Ftab 3.87; DF 13; p > 0.05) between all treatments of spent lubricant oil and detergent during the 96 hr exposure period of test animals. At 5% level of significance the Student Neuman-Keuls (SNK) test further revealed significant differences in the mean mortality response of test animals exposed to toxicants at all concentrations and untreated control. The results obtained in this study suggest that the estuarine benthic macroinvertebrates, which play key roles in the environment, may serve as useful in-situ sentinels for biomonitoring studies of petroleum pollutants in fragile aquatic ecosystems such as the Lagos lagoon.     

Hepatotoxic and haematological effects of Nigerian Bonny light crude oil in male albino rats

The effect of Bonny light crude oil was assessed in adult albino rats. The rats were administered with 200, 400, and 800?mg/kg of the crude oil orally for 7 days. Fluid intake was measured daily, and the initial and final animal body weight recorded. Oral crude oil at these doses produced no effect on feed and fluid intake between the test groups and the control group. There was a significant decrease in body weight compared to the control group after 7 days of treatment with the different doses of crude oil.

The toxic effects of the liver and hematological effects were assessed. The packed cell volume (PCV) and total white blood cell (WBC) of the 200?mg/kg group were significantly decreased compared to the respective control values. Administration of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of Bonny light crude oil, caused a significant dose-dependent increase in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels, but a significant decrease in the alkaline phosphatase (AP) level compared to the control. Histological examination indicates that crude oil induced severe pathologic changes in the forms of necrosis and oedema.     

矿物油对水稻－萝卜的影响

用不同剂量的润滑油（引擎油、齿轮油）、煤油和废油污染土壤，探讨它们对水稻和后茬萝卜生长的影响．结果表明，引擎油在剂量为５ｍｌ／１００ｇ土时对水稻生长和后茬萝卜的成苗及苗高均有影响；齿轮油、煤油和废油在剂量为２ｍｌ／１００ｇ土时对水稻秧苗无多大影响，在剂量为１ｍｌ／１００ｇ土时对后茬萝卜有抑制作用．对被废油污染的土壤，可用油处理剂Ｓ．Ｇ８０５治理．但剂量以１０００ｍｇ／Ｌ以下为宜．