Ecotoxicology of petroleum hydrocarbons in the marine environment

Abstract

The utilization of petroleum resources as an energy source for society results in the global discharge of significant quantities of petroleum hydrocarbons into the marine environment (about 6 x lo6 tonnes per year). Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the ecological impacts of petroleum in the marine environment and to identify the scope and dimensions of resultant impacts. Currently, a substantial body of diverse and largely unco-ordinated information on the effects of petroleum discharges in marine environments is available in the scientific literature. The application of an ecotoxicological approach, however, allows the development of critical evaluation models and frameworks which attempt to integrate and apply general principles of toxicology and ecology to a synthesis of the available information on effects induced by petroleum hydrocarbons in the marine environment. These aspects are discussed in relation to the significance of sub-lethal and lethal concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons (e.g. aromatic fractions) within marine ecosystems. INTRODUCTIONThe utilization of petroleum resources as an energy source results in the global discharge of significant quantities of petroleum hydrocarbons into the marine environment (approximately 6 x lo6 tonnes per year).'92 These inputs are mostly chronic (approximately 90%) and similar in magnitude to biogenic hydrocarbon inputs, e.g. marine phytoplankton production. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the ecological impacts of petroleum in the marine environment and to identify the scope and dimensions of the resultant impacts.Currently, a substantial body of diverse information on the effects of petroleum discharges in marine environments is available in the scientific literat~re.'-~ This information lacks coordination and protocols for assessment.The application of an ecotoxicological however, allows the development of evaluation models and frameworks which attempt to integrate and apply general principles of toxicology and ecology to a synthesis of the available information on effects induced by petroleum hydrocarbons in marine environments. Inherent in such an approach is the need to recognize, in a quantitative way, the distinct processes involved.8 Ultimately, predictive methodologies and models should be developed to provide a scientific basis for assessment.In contrast to classical toxicology, this assessment requires the estimation of doses experienced by a diversity of receptors for a variety of effects in those receptors. Estimation of single and integrated doses at the site of effect within receptors is essentially a function of the physico-chemical properties of the substances involved in environmental processes and physiological mechanisms within receptors. This paper examines such toxicological aspects as they apply to the behaviour and manifestations of petroleum hydrocarbons within the marine environment. TRANSFORMATIONS OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONSComplex mixtures of petroleum hydrocarbons (molecular weight range 16-> 10 000) undergo ext...

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