Abstract
The aggregation of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and oil droplets in environments with specific hydrodynamic energy can lead to the formation of Oil-SPM Aggregates (OSA). A laboratory simulation was conducted in order to examine the possible toxic potential of OSA formation using three different concentrations of particulate material (50, 200, 300 mg/L) in a microscale experiment. The procedure was performed through toxicological testing of acute exposure to determine the LC 50 (lethal concentration 50%) using the microcrustacean Artemia salina as a test organism. Serial dilutions were made from surface and bottom samples in order to characterize different toxicity. The concentration that showed the highest potential toxicity was 200 mg/L, having the same values for surface and bottom (LC 50 7.91%), whereas the concentration with the least toxic potential was 300 mg/L (LC 50 31.5%) for surface samples. Negative correlation was found between redox potential and the hydrogenionic potential (only for samples with 200 mg/L of sediment), and positive correlation was found between toxicity factors (percent dilution and mortality) and the other monitored parameters.
Highlights
The interaction between oil droplets and suspended particulate matter (SPM) has been the focus of investigation in several studies, in concerns to its properties, and related to the variables that characterize its formation (Owens 1999; Lee et al 2001, 2003; Khelifa et al 2003, 2005; Muschenheim & Lee, 2002; Owens & Lee 2003; Loh 2020)
The present study aims to evaluate the sensibility of Artemia salina in toxicological essays with static nonrenewal tests to determine LC50 of the samples collected for both sites in simulated microscale experiments of Oil-SPM Aggregates (OSA) formation using three different concentrations of particulate material (50, 200, 300 mg/L)
The results concerning the sediment and oil characterization used in the present study are described in Table 1, and related to the collection schedules described therein, which followed restrictions due to the low tide
Summary
The interaction between oil droplets and suspended particulate matter (SPM) has been the focus of investigation in several studies, in concerns to its properties, and related to the variables that characterize its formation (Owens 1999; Lee et al 2001, 2003; Khelifa et al 2003, 2005; Muschenheim & Lee, 2002; Owens & Lee 2003; Loh 2020). The presence of oil droplets can increase the concentration of soluble hydrocarbons, increasing its bioavailability and promoting an intensification in the natural degradation as well as in the oil toxicity due to the exposure to aromatics such as benzene, toluene and xylene. These compounds are highly soluble in water compared to others, which makes the marine organisms more vulnerable to absorption through the tissues, gills or by direct ingestion (through contaminated water or food) (ITOPF 2011)
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