Mielbrecht EE, Wolfe MF, Tjeerdema RS, Sowby ML. Influence of a dispersant on the bioaccumulation of phenanthrene by topsmelt (Atherinops affinis).
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2005;
61:44-52. [PMID:
15814309 DOI:
10.1016/j.ecoenv.2004.08.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2003] [Revised: 08/10/2004] [Accepted: 08/12/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Chemical dispersants enhance oil spill dispersion by forming water-accommodated micelles with oil droplets. However, how dispersants alter bioavailability and subsequent bioaccumulation of hydrocarbons is not well understood. Thus, the goal was to investigate the influence of a chemical dispersant on the disposition (uptake, biotransformation, and depuration) of a model hydrocarbon, [14C]-phenanthrene ([14C]PHN), by larval topsmelt (Atherinops affinis). Exposure was via aqueous-only or combined dietary and aqueous routes from a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Prudhoe Bay Crude Oil (PBCO) or a WAF of Corexit 9527-dispersed PBCO (DO). Trophic transfer was measured by incorporating into exposure media both a rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) as food for the fish and a phytoplankton (Isochrysis galbana) as food for the rotifers. Short-term (4 h) bioconcentration of PHN was significantly decreased in topsmelt when oil was treated with dispersant (P < 0.05), but differences diminished after 12 h. When trophic transfer was incorporated, PHN accumulation was initially delayed but after 12 h attained similar levels. Dispersant use also significantly decreased the proportion of biotransformed PHN (as 9-phenanthrylsulfate) produced by topsmelt (P < 0.05). However, overall PHN depuration was not affected by dispersant use. Thus, chemical dispersant use in oil spill response may reduce short-term uptake but not long-term accumulation of hydrocarbons such as PHN in pelagic fish.
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