Bioenergetics and survival of the marine snail Thais lima during long-term oil exposure

The carnivorous snail Thais lima was fed Mytilus edulis during a 28-d exposure to the water soluble fraction (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil. The LC-50 of T. lima declined from >3000 ppb aromatic hydrocarbons on Day 7 to 818±118 ppb on Day 28. The LC-50 of M. edulis declined from >3 000 ppb aromatic hydrocarbons on Day 7 to 1 686±42 ppb on Day 28. Predation rate declined linearly with increasing aromatic hydrocarbon concentration up to 302 ppb; little predation occurred at 538 ppb and none at 1 160 or 1 761 ppb. Snail absorption efficiency averaged 93.5% and did not vary as a function of WSF dose. Total energy expenditure (R+U) increased at 44 ppb aromatics and declined at lethal WSF exposures. At sublethal WSF exposures, percentages of total energy expenditure were: respiration (87%), ammonia excretion (9%) and primary amine loss (4%). These percentages did not vary as a function of WSF dose or time. Oxygen:nitrogen ratios were not affected by WSF concentration or time and indicated that T. lima derived most of its energy from protein catabolism. The uptake of aromatic hydrocarbons into the soft tissues of snails and mussels was directly related to the WSF concentration. Naphthalenes accounted for 67 to 78% of the aromatic hydrocarbons in T. lima and 56 to 71% in M. edulis. The scope for growth was negative above 150 ppb WSF aromatic hydrocarbons and above 1 204 ppb soft-body aromatic hydrocarbons. These snails were physiologically stressed at an aromatic hydrocarbon concentration which was 19% of the 28-d WSF LC-50 (818±118 ppb) and/or 48% of the 28-d LC-50 of soft tissue aromatics (2 502 ppb).     

Burden of skin lesions of arsenicosis at higher exposure through groundwater of taluka Gambat district Khairpur, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey

Prior surveys conducted have found higher proportion of arsenic-contaminated wells in villages along river Indus in Pakistan. This study aims to determine the prevalence of arsenicosis skin lesions among population exposed to higher exposure in taluka Gambat district Khairpur in Sindh. The cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2008 to January 2009 among 610 households. A total of 707 water sources (hand pumps/wells) were tested from the villages of union councils of Agra and Jado Wahan for arsenic levels with Quick rapid arsenic field test kits. A total of 110 households exposed to arsenic levels >50 ppb were identified. Case screening for arsenic skin lesions was performed for 610 individuals residing in these 110 high-risk households. Information regarding household and socio-demographic characteristics, height and weight measurements and arsenic exposure assessment were collected. Physical examinations by trained physicians were carried out to diagnose the arsenic skin lesions. After data cleaning, 534 individuals from all age groups were included in the final analysis which had complete exposure and outcome information. Overall prevalence of arsenicosis skin lesions was 13.5 % (72 cases). Of the 534 individuals, 490 (91.8 %) were exposed to arsenic levels of ≥100 ppb in drinking water (8.2 % to >50–99 ppb, 58.6 % to 100–299 ppb, 14.6 % to 300–399 ppb and 18 % to ≥400 ppb). Prevalence rate (per 100 population) of arsenicosis was highest at arsenic levels of 100–199 ppb (15.2 cases) followed by ≥400 ppb (13.5 cases) and 300–399 (12.8 cases). Prevalence rate was higher among females (15.2) compared to males (11.3). Our study reports arsenicosis burden due to exposure to higher arsenic levels in drinking water in Pakistan. Exposure to very high levels of arsenic in drinking water calls for urgent action along river Indus. Prevalence of skin lesions increases with increasing arsenic levels in drinking groundwater. Provision of arsenic-free drinking water is essential to avoid current and future burden of arsenicosis in Pakistan.     

Effects of turbidity on calcification rate,protein concentration and the free amino acid pool of the coral Acropora cervicornis

Calcification rate in the coral Acropora cervicornis was reduced significantly when exposed for 24 h to 100-ppm kaolin, but was unchanged in corals exposed to 50-ppm kaolin. Calcification rate returned to control levels during a 48-h recovery period. Most free amino acids (FAA) in the FAA pool decreased significantly in corals exposed to 100-ppm kaolin, but were unchanged in corals exposed to 50-ppm kaolin. After a 48-h recovery period, the FAA pool remained considerably below control levels in the 100-ppm exposed corals and dropped below control levels in the 50-ppm exposed corals. Calcification rate dropped less and later during the exposure period in the growing tip than in sections further down the stalk. The reduction in FAA pool size was considerably larger in the growing tip than further down the stalk. Soluble protein concentration remained unchanged during both exposure and recovery. The data are consistent with the interpretation that turbidity not only causes a decrease in photosynthetic rate and the synthesis of small molecules, but also causes a large increase in the utilization of stored organic molecules for such metabolically costly processes as mucus production and sediment removal.     

A long-term study of the effects of water-soluble fractions of No. 2 fuel oil on the survival,development rate,and growth of the mud crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii

Mud crabs, Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould), were exposed continuously for 6 months after hatching to water-soluble fractions (WSF) of No. 2 fuel oil. Survival, growth and development rate were monitored during this time. The zoeal stages were the most sensitive to fuel oil. A 20% WSF (0.36 ppm total naphthalenes, 1.26 ppm total hydrocarbons) was acutely toxic to these stages. Of the zoeal stages, the first stage appeared to be the most sensitive. The combined duration of the 4 zoeal stages was significantly increased by increasing WSF exposure concentrations. The megalopa and crab stages were not particularly sensitive to continued petroleum hydrocarbon exposure, particularly when compared to zoeal stages. However, mean duration of the megalopa and first crab stages was significantly affected by oil exposure. Individuals which survived the highest exposure concentrations as larvae appeared to grow larger during the crab stages, so that at the end of 6 months comparably staged crabs were equal to or larger than both control crabs and those exposed to low WSF concentrations. Stage distributions at the end of 6 months showed no differences due to WSF exposure. Sex ratios, which could be determined at the end of 6 months, were approximately 1, indicating no sex-related differential sensitivity to WSF exposure, at least as larvae or juveniles. The data indicate that these crabs possess considerable ability to recover from the effects of chronic sublethal exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons. The most deleterious effects of oil pollution on this species may be due to its impact on larval recruitment into the adult population.     

Accumulation of cadmium in the mussel Mytilus edulis: kinetics and importance of uptake via food and sea water

In a short-term (162 h) accumulation experiment with mussels Mytilus edulis exposed to 100 ppb Cd and fed algal cells (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) in 1986, it was found that uptake via food played an insignificant role compared to direct uptake from ambient water (19 S). From measurements of the filtration rate and Cd uptake rate, it was estimated that the fraction of Cd taken up per liter of water filtered was about 0.15%. The initial uptake of Cd was linear with time and about three times higher in fed than in starved mussels. From the measured uptake of Cd in starved mussels collected in 1982 and exposed to 10, 100 and 200 ppb in long-term experiments (up to 242 d), it was found that the Cd Accumulation rate was not linear with time, and that the Cd uptake was not directly proportional with the exposure concentration. Values as high as 100 to 1 300 ppm Cd (dry wt of soft parts) were measured. It was found that the Cd elimination rate was not directly proportional with the Cd body burden in long-term exposed mussels, thus indicating that a certain fraction of Cd may have been immobilized to metallothioneins.     

Role of adipocytes in the muscle tissue of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar ) in the uptake, release and retention of water-soluble fraction of crude oil hydrocarbons

The uptake and depuration of the water-sol‐uble fraction (WSF) of hydrocarbons of crude petroleum by Atlantic salmon (Salmosalar) has previously been examined in terms of whole muscle. The hypothesis that the tainting WSF in the muscle was retained primarily by adipocytes has been investigated by the isolation of adipocytes and the subsequent analysis for hydrocarbons in adipocytes. After 96 h exposure of market-sized Atlantic salmon to 0.2 ppm WSF, adipocytes isolated from the belly flap region of the muscle tissue accumulated 14.3 times more WSF (59.4 ppm) than the dorsal white muscle (4.2 ppm), while 54% of the tainting WSF in the dorsal white muscle was found to be stored in associated adipocytes. When returned to clean seawater, WSF accumulated in the dorsal white muscle was released much faster than that in the adipocytes. These results indicated that the loose association of WSF with the nonlipid portion of white muscle, mainly muscle cells and intercellular fluid, is responsible for the rapid discharge of WSF from the dorsal muscle tissue in the early stages of depuration. After 4 d of depuration, the adipocytes became the principal storage site of residual WSF in white muscle and the depuration of WSF from muscle tissue then reflected the release of WSF from adipocytes in the muscle tissue. After 20 d of depuration, 10.7 ppm of tainting WSF in the form of high molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons (mainly C₄-benzenes, naphthalene and alkylated naphthalenes) were still present in adipocytes, while in the dorsal white muscle only a trace of total WSF was detected. Increases in the number of aromatic rings and the alkylations on the rings enhanced the accumulation and retention of individual hydrocarbons in both adipocytes and white muscle. From these studies we conclude that it is the adipocytes in the muscle tissue which control the actual accumulation and release of hydrocarbons in the whole muscle tissue of Atlantic salmon. Received: 21 August 1996 / Accepted: 26 September 1996     

Interactive effects of salinity,temperature and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the survival and development rate of larvae of the mud crabRhithropanopeus harrisii

Zoeae of the mud crabRhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) were exposed continuously throughout larval development to factorial combinations of salinity, temperature and specific aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations. Salinities and temperatures were 5, 15, or 25 and 20°, 25°, or 30°C, respectively. Either phenanthrene or naphthalene was tested separately at respective concentrations of 0, 100, 150 or 200 ppb and 0, 125, 250 or 500 ppb. Phenanthrene was much more toxic than naphthalene. Naphthalene was not acutely toxic at any physical factor combination-naphthalene concentration tested. Both compounds caused the highest mortality at low salinities. The time course of mortality due to phenanthrene exposure showed that ecdysis between the first and second zoeal stage was the most sensitive period for the larvae exposed to aqueous hydrocarbons. Phenanthrene-exposed larvae had a decreased development rate, but the naphthalene-exposed larvae developed faster than the controls.     

Depression of feeding and growth rates of the seastar Evasterias troschelii during long-term exposure to the water-soluble fraction of crude oil

To test the effect of petroleum hydrocarbons on predation by the seastar Evasterias troschelii (Stimpson, 1862) on the mussel Mytilus edulis (L.), we exposed the predator with the prey to six concentrations of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil. Seastars and mussels were collected at Auke Bay, Alaska, in November 1980. During a 28 d exposure in a flow-through system, seastars were more sensitive to the WSF than mussels: the LC₅₀ for the seastars was 0.82 ppm at Day 19 and, although no mussels were exposed to WSF for more than 12 d, none died. Daily feeding rates (whether in terms of number of mussels seastar^-1 d^-1 or dry weight of mussels seastar^-1 d^-1) were significantly reduced at all concentrations above 0.12 ppm. At 0.20, 0.28 and 0.72 ppm WSF, daily feeding rates (in terms of dry weight of mussels) were, respectively, 53, 37, and 5% of the control rate; at the two highest concentrations (0.97 and 1.31 ppm WSF), the seastars did not feed. Seastars at concentrations greater than 0.12 ppm WSF grew slower than individuals from the control group and the 0.12 ppm-treatment group combined. These laboratory results show that E. troschelii is more sensitive to chronic low levels of the WSF of crude oil. The possibility that such oil pollution could reduce predation and permit M. edulis to monopolize the low intertidal zone of southern Alaska remains to be studied.     

Formation of metallothioneins in relation to accumulation of cadmium in the common mussel Mytilus edulis

Accumulation rates of Cd have been studied in the common mussel Mytilus edulis L. under different laboratory conditions. Semi-static and through-flow experiments were carried out at Cd concentrations of 200 ppb and 50/100 ppb in the water, respectively. A linear uptake of Cd throughout the experimental periods of 36 or 124 d was found in all experiments. The accumulation rate was 3.10 ppm d^-1 at 50 ppb in the through-flow water experiment, 4.1 ppm d^-1 in starved and 6.6 ppm d^-1 in fed mussels in the semi-static experiments with 200 ppb Cd in the water. The Cd-accumulation rate in various fractions of soft parts decreased in the order: body>mantle>muscles. Elution patterns obtained from gel-filtrations showed an increasing amount of Cd-binding proteins (metallothioneins) when the body burden of Cd increased. The Cd content in the body fraction of mussels transferred to clean water for 42 d after first being exposed to Cd during 124 d decreased from 564 ppm on a dry weight basis to 417 ppm while the fraction of Cd bound to metallothioneins rose from 22 to 78% during the same period.     

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.     

Biochemical responses of the striped mullet Mugil cephalus to oil exposure I. Acute responses—Interrenal activations and secondary stress responses

Acute single exposures to the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of a No. 2 fuel oil influences several biochemical parameters in juveniles of Mugil cephalus Linnaeus. Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations were measured at 1 and 3 h after exposure to 1, 5, 10 or 20% WSF. No elevation of plasma cortisol or glucose levels occurred in fish exposed to the lowest concentration of oil, whereas a dose-response relationship was observed at higher doses. The dynamics of plasma corticosteroid, glucose and cholesterol concentrations and osmolality as well as accumulation of naphthalenes in the fish tissues were monitored during exposure to 20% WSF. Circulating cortisol concentrations rose rapidly to 5 times normal values 1h after exposure to oil and subsequently declined to control levels 6 h after oil addition. A smaller secondary rise occurred at 12 h, but cortisol had returned to basal levels 12 h later. In contrast, plasma glucose, cholesterol and osmolality rose more slowly to reach maximum values between 3 and 4 h after oil addition. By 24 h plasma cholesterol and osmolality had returned to normal values whereas the hyperglycemia persisted. However, 72 h after the addition of WSF all biochemical parameters had returned to control levels. At this time considerable accumulation of total naphthalenes had occurred in several fish tissues, whilst the concentration of total naphthalenes in the exposure tanks had declined to background levels. When freshly prepared 20% WSF was added to the exposure tanks during this period, all biochemical parameters were again elevated. The results suggest that the volatile components of fuel oil in the water trigger the biochemical changes described in a dosedependent manner. The possible ecological significance of these changes and the potential use of these parameters as sublethal indicators of environmental contamination are discussed.     

Acute toxicity evaluation of copper,arsenic and HCH to paddy field crab,Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herb.)

Routine static tests were conducted for determining the median lethal tolerance limit of paddy field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus exposed to Copper, Arsenic and HCH at different time intervals of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour. The LC50 values for Copper came to be 28.00, 22.00, 18.20 and 15.70 ppm; Arsenic 136.00, 128.00, 121.500 and 114.00 ppm and HCH 10.00, 8.80, 7.00 and 6.00 ppm, respectively. The safe concentration, application factor and safe application rate were also calculated. They were for, Copper: 5.56, 1.59 and 3.26 ppm, Arsenic: 38.53, 11.40 and 76.00 and HCH : 4.07, 0.06 and 1.28 ppm. Animals exposed to different concentrations of test chemicals (Copper, Arsenic and HCH) showed prominent behavioural/morphological alterations viz., coughing, redness on the ventral side, paralysis and disorientation in scaphognathite activity. Animals exposed to high concentrations showed an avoidance behaviour by keeping away from the direct contact with the toxic solution either by climbing on the wall of aquarium or by mounting over the weak individual and forming a type of pyramid.     

1,2,4-三氯苯对蚯蚓生长和表皮及肠道超微结构的影响

通过自然土壤法对蚯蚓进行1,2,4-TCB急性暴露实验,研究了不同剂量的1,2,4-TCB对蚯蚓存亡、生长和表皮及肠道粘膜上皮细胞超微结构的影响。结果表明:1,2,4-TCB对蚯蚓14d半致死浓度为890.295mg·L-1;暴露剂量和培养时间均对蚯蚓生长抑制率产生正相关显著影响,但交互作用不显著;暴露于50mg·kg-11,2,4-TCB时,蚯蚓表皮分泌细胞增多,角质层增厚或上角质层损伤,肠道粘膜上皮细胞凹陷形成一定的溃疡面或呈撕裂分散状,第14天时,上角质层和肠道粘膜上皮细胞损伤均有所恢复;当暴露浓度为400mg·kg-1时,蚯蚓的角质层明显增厚,表皮出现大量的分泌细胞,肠上皮组织呈一定程度的撕裂并少量脱落,第14天时角质层变薄,分泌细胞减少,上角质层破损加剧,肠上皮细胞撕裂严重并持续脱落。第14天电镜观察显示:暴露浓度为50mg·kg-1时,肠上皮细胞线粒体嵴不清晰或断裂,结构模糊;暴露浓度为400mg·L-1时,部分线粒体空泡化或内部有絮状沉淀,嵴变短甚至消失。     

单壁纳米碳管对大鼠主动脉内皮细胞损伤作用的研究

为了探索单壁纳米碳管(SWCNT)能否引起血管内皮细胞损伤及其可能的损伤机制,将大鼠主动脉血管内皮细胞暴露于不同浓度的SWCNT水溶液中(0.8、1.6、3.12、6.25、12.5、25、50、100、200μg·mL-1)中染毒,染毒不同时间后测定细胞存活率、细胞内LDH和GSH含量并进行综合分析.结果表明,随着SWCNT染毒浓度和染毒时间的上升,大鼠主动脉血管内皮细胞存活率逐渐下降,死亡率逐渐上升;细胞内LDH在SWCNT染毒浓度为0￣100μg·mL-1范围内其释放随染毒剂量的增加而逐渐上升,在200μg·mL-1剂量组,其释放有所减弱;而细胞内GSH在SWCNT染毒浓度为0￣200μg·mL-1范围内其含量随染毒剂量的增加而逐渐下降.以上结果说明,SWCNT可致血管内皮细胞损伤,其机制可能为氧化损伤途径.     

Improving escape responses of hatchery-reared scallops <Emphasis Type="Italic">Argopecten purpuratus</Emphasis>

Hatchery rearing of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus has resulted in successive generations of scallops not exposed to predators that are less sensitive to and escape more slowly from predators than wild scallops. The present study examined whether conditioning hatchery-reared A. purpuratus to its natural predator, the sea star Meyenaster gelatinosus, improved its escape responses. Both juvenile and adult A. purpuratus from Tongoy Bay, Chile, were exposed for 7 days to different conditions: (1) continuous predator odor, (2) predator contact for 30 min three times a day, (3) a combination of the two previous conditions, and (4) no exposure to the predator (control). After conditioning, we evaluated scallop’s escape responses: reaction time, total clap number, duration of the clapping response, clapping rate, and the time scallops spent closed when exhausted. Conditioning with contact and odor plus contact (i.e., high predation risk) resulted in 25 and 50% shorter reaction times of juveniles and adults, respectively. Further, these stimuli caused juveniles to increase the number of claps and clapping rate. For adults, the time spent closed after exhaustion decreased by 50 and 63% after conditioning with contact and odor plus contact, respectively. Therefore, it is shown for the first time that exposure of scallops to increasing predator stimuli enhances escape responses, evidence of threat-sensitive predator avoidance.     

Interactive effects of salinity,temperature and chronic exposure to oil on the survival and developmental rate of embryos of the estuarine killifishFundulus heteroclitus

The combined effect of salinity, temperature and chronic exposure to water-soluble fractions (WSF) of a No. 2 fuel oil on the survival and development rate of embryos ofFundulus heteroclitus Walbaum are described. The embryos were exposed at 3 salinities (10, 20, 30 S) and 3 temperatures (20°, 25°, 30°C) to 3 different oil concentrations (15, 20, 25% WSF, equivalent to approx 0.28, 0.38 and 0.47 ppm total naphthalenes) and to one control without oil. The results were analyzed by responsesurface methodology. The lowest oil concentration was only mildly toxic to embryos under optimal salinity/temperature conditions, while the highest was extremely toxic in all factor combinations. Under optimal conditions, only the highest oil concentration resulted in more than 50% mortality. Under suboptimal conditions, especially high and low temperatures, all 3 oil concentrations caused greater than 50% mortality. The interactive effect of salinity and temperature on survival was greatest at the lowest oil concentration. Temperature had a marked effect and salinity only a slight effect on the developmental rate of the embryos. Exposure to the low oil concentration tended to increase the temperature sensitivity of developmental duration slightly. Generally, exposure to oil decreased the time interval between fertilization and hatching.     

Effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on hemoglobin content and oxygen consumption of freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus)

Lethal effects of nitrogenous compounds ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio were studied and the static LC50 values obtained for these 3 toxicants for 24 hr were 0.80 ppb, 171.36 ppm; 1075.10 ppm and continuous flowthrough LC50 values for 24 hr were 0.72 ppb, 154.31 ppm; 967.63 ppm respectively. The fish were exposed to lethal concentrations to study the changes in hematological parameters and the rate of oxygen consumption. During the period of exposure general decline in the content of hemoglobin was observed. Methemoglobin content increased in case of nitrite exposure consequently the hemoglobin levels decreased drastically. It is also observed that rate of oxygen consumption decreased progressively with the increase of toxicant concentration and duration of the exposure.     

Factors affecting the accumulation and removal of mercury from tissues of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

Adult oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) were held in seawater containing 10 or 100 ppb mercury in the form of mercuric acetate for 45 days. Mercury concentration in tissues was determined by analysis of individually homogenized oyster meats using wet digestion and flameless absorption spectrophotometry. After 45 days, average mercury tissue concentration was 91,600 and 12,100 ppb in the 100 and 10 ppb mercury groups, respectively. A slight decline in mercury residues in the 100 ppb group during the accumulation period was attributed to spawning. Clearance of mercury from tissues was studied in a constant temperature regime (25°C±2C^o) for 25 days and in a declining temperature regime (25° to 5°C) for 80 days by exposing treated adults to estuarine water with no mercury added. The biological half-life of mercuric acetate was 16.8 and 9.3 days in the 25°C temperature regime, and 35.4 and 19.9 days in the declining temperature regime, for the 10 and 100 ppb groups, respectively. Smaller oysters (0 to 7 g) consistently accumulated more mercury per gram wet weight than larger oysters (7 to 20 g) in populations exposed to 10 and 100 ppb mercury.     

Sub-lethal effect of chlorpyrifos on protein metabolism of the food fish Clarias batrachus and monitoring of recovery

The effect of sub-lethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos on protein metabolism in physiological important tissues, namely gills, kidney, liver, and muscle of the freshwater fish, Clarias batrachus, was studied. Fish were exposed to 1/20th and 1/10th of 96?h LC₅₀ concentrations for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. After 28 days of exposure, fish were released into fresh water and kept in the same for 21 days in order to study the recovery. Fish were sacrificed at the stipulated periods and gills, kidney, liver, and muscle tissues were used for the estimation of total protein, amino acids, ammonia, urea, glutamine, protease, transaminases, and phosphatases. Total protein, amino acid, and ammonia contents were decreased in all tissues for 28 days and recovery was observed during the recovery period. Urea and glutamine levels were elevated, except in kidneys, and recovered at the end of the recovery period. The activities of protease, alanine, and aspartate aminotransferases, and acid and alkaline phosphatases were elevated in the tissues for 28 days exposure at both concentrations. Recovery of these enzymes activities was noticed during depuration.     

Oil-induced disruption of foraging behaviour of the asteroid keystone predator, Coscinasterias muricata (Echinodermata)

A prey-localization test allowed the observation of the foraging behaviour of Coscinasterias muricata in the presence of Mytilus edulis and the disruption of this behaviour following oil exposure. Asteroids were exposed to dilutions of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Bass Strait stabilised crude oil (control, 2%, 10%). Effects of exposure (4 d) and depuration (20 d) were quantified using circular statistical analyses. Observations suggested that disruption of behaviour might be concentration-dependent. Control asteroids successfully located mussels during tests. A small proportion (3 of 16) of asteroids exposed to 2% WAF also located the mussels, while asteroids exposed to 10% WAF did not. Following depuration, exposed asteroids recovered their chemoreception capacities. It is concluded that (1) Coscinasterias muricata is able to locate prey mussels through chemoreception, (2) exposure to oil disrupts its foraging behaviour, and (3) the effect is reversible. Received: 4 March 1998 / Accepted: 25 November 1998