Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of crude oil Water Soluble Fraction (wsf) and the aqueous extract of <em>Lepidagathis alopecuroides</em> on fertilty and hatchability of <em>Clarias gariepinus</em>. Artificially fertilized eggs of <em>Clarias gariepinus</em> were exposed to five sublethal concentrations of <em>L. alopecuroides</em> and five concentrations of the water soluble fractions of crude oil. The results showed that there was concentration dependent reduction in hatchability of eggs exposed to <em>L. alopecuroides</em>. A highly significant (p<0.01) but negative linear correlation (r = -0.9327) was observed between percent hatchability and the concentration of crude oil water soluble fraction. Both relationships were linear with regression equations y = -73.68x+65.92 vs. y = -0.085x+75.03 and coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>) = 0.870 vs. 0.915, respectively. This result confirms that both <em>L. alopecuroides</em> and crude oil water soluble fraction are capable of inhibiting hatchability of <em>Clarias gariepinus</em> and reducing the reproductive capacity of this species in the wild.
Highlights
The Water Soluble Fraction (WSF) of crude oil is that small fraction of oil containing components fully or sparingly soluble in water (Nwadukwe et al, 2006)
Preparation of water soluble fraction: The crude oil used for this research work, was the Bonny Light supplied by the Nigeria Pipeline Product Marketing Company Limited, Subsidiary of the Nigerian National
Lepidagathis alopecuroides aqueous extract applied at sublethal concentrations to the medium for
Summary
The Water Soluble Fraction (WSF) of crude oil is that small fraction of oil containing components fully or sparingly soluble in water (Nwadukwe et al, 2006). Organisms exposed to WSF of crude oil take up the dissolved hydrocarbon and react to their effects. Toxicity of crude oil is dependent on the presence of fractions of toxic components like xylene, naphthalene, benzene and toluene (Noyo et al, 2008). The water-soluble fraction of crude oil has been found to reduce the growth rate and biomass turnover of some aquatic macrophytes. Kauss and Hutchinson (1975) found that aquatic macrophytes population was reduced in the presence of petroleum water soluble fraction containing harmful metallic ions like Vanadium, Nickel, Iron and Copper The water-soluble fraction of crude oil has been found to reduce the growth rate and biomass turnover of some aquatic macrophytes. Kauss and Hutchinson (1975) found that aquatic macrophytes population was reduced in the presence of petroleum water soluble fraction containing harmful metallic ions like Vanadium, Nickel, Iron and Copper
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