Effects of water soluble fractions of crude oil on growth of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.).

Abstract

Crude oil spillage during drilling operations, accidental spill during shipping of crude oil and leakages from under ground pipes are becoming a common phenomenon. These have over the years led to polluting the world aquatic ecosystem. The main objective of this research was to determine the effect of water soluble fractions of the Bonny light crude oil on the growth of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. This fish is a conspicuous member of the tropical freshwater system. Several studies document that crude oil and its components inhibit growth of fish. Relatively short, static exposures to water soluble fractions of crude oil or refined oils inhibit growth of larval Baltic herring, Clupea harengus membras (Linden, 1978). Moles et al. (1981) reported that Juveniles coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch had reduced growth after 40-day exposure to 0.67 mL/L naphthalene or 3.18 µL/L toluene (breakdown products of crude oil) in freshwater. Similarly, Woodward et al. (1981) reported that juvenile cut-throat trout Salmo clarki had reduced growth after 60 days