An Experimental System to Assess Potential Biological Impact of Operational Response During an Oil Spill

Abstract

In order to evaluate the potential toxicity of dispersant application in an oil slick in near-shore areas, this study presents an experimental system designed to perform toxicity tests on fish. Three possible oil spill scenario issues during an oil spill were tested on juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax); the Water Soluble Fraction of oil; the Mechanical Dispersion of oil; the Chemical Dispersion of oil. Preliminary toxicity assays suggest that the experimental system is appropriate to assess the three experimental conditions during a period of 24 hours. This experimental system allowed obtaining "quick" and relevant results of acute toxicity in an emergency context such an oil spill.