The toxicity of various oil-counteracting agents for sea- and freshwater animals

Abstract

The toxicity of various oil-counteracting agents for sea-and freshwater animals. Tanker accidents at sea have led to the examination of the toxic effects on organisms of 14 oil-emulsifying agents both in fresh-and seawater. The lethal limits of the substances examined were between 0.00t and 0.1 ml/I. For an appraisal of these values it is important to know that some substances cause different reactions in freshwater and seawater. Crude oil mixtures (Irak-Crude-Oil) have similar lethal limits. A layer of crude oil alone on the surface of the water is less detrimental than a mixture of crude oil and emulsifying agents. On the part of the fisheries considerable objections should be raised against the use of such agents. In cases of soilage of beaches, harbours, and industrial plants, it must be decided whether damages to the local flora and fauna can be accepted or not.

Annelida: Polychaeta

“…The larvae recovered from a 7-day exposure to sea water of 20%c but did not recover from more than a 2-hour exposure to 15%o. Kühl and Mann (1967) reported that the lethal level for a 7-day exposure of an unknown spionid larva to nine common oil emulsifying agents was between 10 and 100 ppm (parts per million). Straughan (1972a) showed that in an Australian population, sperm are active and fertilization is possible at salinities as low as 3.5%c, but that eggs would not develop normally to trochophores in salinities below 6%c.…”