Water-accommodated Fraction Of Crude Oil Research Articles

Sensitivity of Different Early Developmental Periods of Baltic Herring (Clupea harengus) to Water-accommodated Fraction of Crude Oil

The probability for the oil accident to occur at the Gulf of Finland has been increasing last ten years and it is predicted to continue so. The risk is high based on the accident probability and the probable harm caused; some spawning areas of the Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) are located in the vicinity of ports and ship fairways with heavy traffic, so any oil spillage there could affect recruitment of this commercially important species. In this study, newly fertil- ized embryos, the older embryos and the hatched larvae of Baltic herring were exposed to water-accommodated fraction (WAF) made from crude oil. Oil exposure increased most the mortality of the hatched larvae, and larvae hatched during the exposure were more sensitive to the impacts of oil than larvae which were exposed after their hatching. The LC50 value was 16 % of WAF-solution of crude oil for the exposed larvae. The most tolerant for the oil were the embryos in late embryonic stage (the LC50 was 44 % of WAF-solution). During the exposure, some malformations i.e. a curving of the notochord were noticed.

Dispersant and salinity effects on weathering and acute toxicity of South Louisiana crude oil

Chemical dispersants are an important technology in the remediation of oil spills in the aquatic environment, facilitating degradation of crude oil and salinity is an important factor in dispersant effectiveness. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of salinity on the degradation chemistry of crude oil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and acute toxicity of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of the dispersant COREXIT 9500A and chemically dispersed crude oil on a common estuarine fish. Laboratory microcosms were designed at salinities of 4 parts per thousand (ppt), 12 ppt, or 18 ppt and spiked with crude oil, COREXIT 9500A, or a combined exposure to crude oil and COREXIT and allowed to biodegrade for 1 wk, 4 wk, and 16 wk. The WAF was harvested for analytical PAH analysis and acute toxicity testing in juvenile Fundulus grandis. Compared with undispersed oil, COREXIT exponentially increased the PAH concentrations in the WAF for up to 16 wk; hopane-normalized concentrations indicated that biodegradation was slowed for the first 4 wk. Dispersed crude oil and COREXIT were acutely toxic following 1 wk of biodegradation with no correlation between PAH concentrations and crude oil WAF mortality. Both dispersant and dispersant oil mixtures remained toxic for at least 4 wk at the lowest salinity tested, suggesting increased sensitivity or reduced biodegradation of toxic components in low-saline environments. At the lowest salinity, oil dispersed with COREXIT was more toxic than either the COREXIT alone or oil alone, even after 16 wk of biodegradation.

Acute and chronic toxicity study of the water accommodated fraction (WAF), chemically enhanced WAF (CEWAF) of crude oil and dispersant in the rock pool copepod Tigriopus japonicus

We determined the toxicity of the water accommodated hydrocarbon fraction (WAF), two chemically enhanced WAFs (CEWAFs; CEWAF-C, Crude oil+Corexit 9500 and CEWAF-H, Crude oil+Hiclean) of crude oil and two dispersants (Corexit 9500 and Hiclean) to the rock pool copepod Tigriopus japonicus. In the acute toxicity test, Corexit 9500 was the most toxic of all the chemicals studied. The nauplius stage of T. japonicus was more susceptible to the toxic chemicals studied than the adult female. The toxicity data using the nauplius stage was then considered as baseline to determine the spiking concentration of chemicals for chronic toxicity tests on the copepod. As the endpoints in the chronic toxicity test, survival, sex ratio, developmental time and fecundity of the copepod were used. All chemicals used in this study resulted in increased toxicity in the F1 generation. The lowest-observed-adverse-effect (LOAE) concentrations of WAF, CEWAF-H, CEWAF-C, Hiclean and Corexit 9500 were observed to be 50%, 10%, 0.1%, 1% and 1%, respectively. The results in present study imply that copepods in marine may be negatively influenced by spilled oil and dispersant.

Oil-dispersant mixtures: understanding chemical composition and its relation to human toxicity

The ability for the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of oil-dispersant mixtures to become aerosolized following natural sea surface activity markedly increases the probability of inhalation exposure to this aerosolized mixture and subsequent adverse respiratory health effects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the chemical composition of WAF of these mixtures as well as determine how this relates to lung epithelial cell cytotoxicity. WAF was prepared by mixing each dispersant (Corexit 9500/9527/9580) with crude oil. For “chemical constituent fingerprinting,” these prepared WAF were extracted prior with dichloromethane, analyzed by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and qualitatively evaluated using the NIST08 database. Results from chemical analysis revealed an increase in structure complexity of the WAF oil-dispersant mixtures when compared to WAF of crude oil only. This complexity was characterized by high molecular weight compounds such as alkyl derivatives, esters, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Previously a concentration-dependent reduction in cultured A549 cells was noted at 2 or 24 h time points following exposure to either the WAF-oil/9500 or WAF-oil/9527. Thus, a possible correlation exists between the chemical complexity of these mixtures and the ability to induce lung epithelial cell death in potentially exposed individuals.

Acute toxicity of crude oil water accommodated fraction on marine copepods: The relative importance of acclimatization temperature and body size

Recent oil spillage accidents around the world greatly increase harmful risks to marine ecology. This study evaluated the influences of petroleum water accommodated fraction (WAF) on 15 typical species of marine copepods collected from a subtropical bay in East China Sea at different seasons. Copepods showed impaired swimming ability, restlessness, loss of balance, anoxic coma, and even death when they were acutely exposed to the crude oil WAF under laboratory conditions. The LC50 values (expressed in total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration) indicated that the tolerances of copepods to WAF decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased exposure duration and natural water temperatures (acclimatization temperature). The sensitivity of the copepods was species-specific (P < 0.01), and there was a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between the 48-h LC50 and body size. Therefore, the small copepod species confront more survival challenges under oil contamination stress, especially in the warm months or regions.

Hepatic gene expression in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to different hydrocarbon mixtures

Traditional biomarkers for hydrocarbon exposure are not induced by all petroleum substances. The objective of this study was to determine if exposure to a crude oil and different refined oils would generate a common hydrocarbon-specific response in gene expression profiles that could be used as generic biomarkers of hydrocarbon exposure. Juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of either kerosene, gas oil, heavy fuel oil, or crude oil for 96 h. Tissue was collected for RNA extraction and microarray analysis. Exposure to each WAF resulted in a different list of differentially regulated genes, with few genes in common across treatments. Exposure to crude oil WAF changed the expression of genes including cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) with known roles in detoxification pathways. These gene expression profiles were compared to others from previous experiments that used a diverse suite of toxicants. Clustering algorithms successfully identified gene expression profiles resulting from hydrocarbon exposure. These preliminary analyses highlight the difficulties of using single genes as diagnostic of petroleum hydrocarbon exposures. Further work is needed to determine if multivariate transcriptomic-based biomarkers may be a more effective tool than single gene studies for exposure monitoring of different oils.

The chronic effects of oil pollution on marine phytoplankton in a subtropical bay, China

To evaluate the effects of crude oil water accommodated fraction (WAF) on marine phytoplankton community, natural phytoplankton collected seasonally from the Yueqing bay were exposed to eight groups of crude oil WAF for 15 days under laboratory conditions. Chlorophyll a and cell density were measured, and species of phytoplankton were identified every 24 h to reflect the change of phytoplankton community. The results showed that (1) High concentrations (≥ 2.28 mg l(-1)) of oil pollution would greatly restrain phytoplankton growth (p<0.001), decrease chlorophyll a content and cell density, whereas low concentrations (≤ 1.21 mg l(-1)) did not restrain its growth but rather promoted the phytoplankton growth. (2) The biodiversity, evenness, and species number of phytoplankton were all significantly influenced by crude oil WAF in all seasons (p<0.001). (3) The dominant species changes were different under different pollutant concentrations in different seasons. Different species had different tolerances to the oil pollution, thus leading to abnormal succession.

Hydrocarbon-induced changes to metabolic and detoxification enzymes of the Australian crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis).

The toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons to marine aquatic organisms has been widely investigated; however, the effects on freshwater environments have largely been ignored. Selected biomarkers were measured in a freshwater species, the crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis). Fish were exposed to either a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil or a dispersed crude oil water-accommodated fraction (DCWAF) for 3 days and were depurated for 14 days. Generally, biomarkers were altered following the short-term exposures but recovered after 14 days of depuration. Metabolic enzymes measured in gill tissue were citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). As a result of WAF and DCWAF exposures, citrate synthase and LDH activities increased. Enzyme activities returned to control levels following depuration. Subsequent to the WAF exposure, hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity levels were higher than controls and they returned to control levels during depuration. For the DCWAF exposure, EROD was induced by a TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons) concentration of 14.5 mg/L; however, after depuration the 14.5 mg/L TPH group had lower EROD activity than did controls. There were no changes in liver- to body-weight ratios or the histopathological organization of gill or liver tissues. As the majority of biomarkers returned to control levels after 14 days of depuration, rainbowfish were able to recover from short-term exposures to crude oil and dispersed crude oil.

Toxicity Testing of Crude Oil and Related Compounds Using Early Life Stages of the Crimson-Spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis)

The toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons to marine aquatic organisms has been widely investigated; however, the effects on freshwater environments have largely been ignored. In the Australian freshwater environment, the potential impacts of petroleum hydrocarbons are virtually unknown. The toxicity of crude oil and related compounds were measured in the sensitive early life stages of the crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis). Waterborne petroleum hydrocarbons crossed the chorion of embryonic rainbowfish, reducing survival and hatchability. Acute exposures resulted in developmental abnormalities at and above 0.5 mg/L total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Deformities included pericardial edema, disturbed axis formation, and abnormal jaw development. When assessing the acute toxicities of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil, dispersants, dispersant–oil mixtures, and naphthalene to larval rainbowfish, the lowest to highest 96-h median lethal concentrations for day of hatch larvae were naphthalene (0.51 mg/L), dispersed crude oil WAF (DCWAF)-9527 (0.74 mg/L TPH), WAF (1.28 mg/L TPH), DCWAF-9500 (1.37 mg/L TPH), Corexit 9500 (14.5 mg/L TPH), and Corexit 9527 (20.1 mg/L). Using naphthalene as a reference toxicant, no differences were found between the sensitivities of larval rainbowfish collected from adults exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons during embryonic development and those collected from unexposed adults.

Effect of nutritional state on Hsp60 levels in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis following toxicant exposure

The nutritional state of an organism can affect the results of toxicity testing. Here we exemplified this fact by examining the effect of nutritional deprivation on heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) production in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis following exposure to two proven inducers of hsp60, a water-accommodated fraction of crude oil (WAF) and a dispersed oil preparation (DO). Both DO and WAF exposures of unfed rotifers resulted in significantly greater hsp60 levels than that of fed DO and WAF exposed rotifers at 8 h: 870 and 3100% of control, respectively. Results clearly demonstrate that a poor nutritional state potentiates stress protein induction upon exposure to water-soluble petroleum products. It is therefore critical to define the organismal nutritional status when reporting toxic responses.

Reproductive potential of crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis) following short-term exposure to bass strait crude oil and dispersed crude oil.

An examination of the potential of crude oil and mixtures of dispersants and crude oil to act as reproductive toxicants is reported in this article. The short-term effects of a water-accommodated fraction of crude oil (WAF) and a dispersed crude oil water-accommodated fraction (DCWAF) on selected reproductive end points were measured by conducting 3-day exposures to the crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis). Exposures were followed by 14-day depuration periods to determine the ability of fish to recover from the exposure. There were no changes to egg production, hatchability, or larval lengths for the WAF and DCWAF test periods. There were no changes to plasma estradiol or testosterone concentrations, gonadosomatic indices, or histopathological organization of gonad tissues after the exposure and depuration periods for both WAF and DCWAF. As reproductive parameters were not altered after 3 days of exposure and 14 days of depuration, crimson-spotted rainbowfish were able to endure short-term exposures to crude oil and dispersed crude oil.

Metabolic Responses of Fish Following Exposure to Two Different Oil Spill Remediation Techniques

To assess the impacts of two oil spill remediation techniques on fish metabolism, change in aerobic and anaerobic enzyme activities in juvenile Australian Bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, was examined. Changes in cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were investigated following exposure to the crude oil water accommodated fraction (WAF) and chemically dispersed crude oil WAF. There was a significant stimulation in CCO activity in the gills and livers of fish exposed to the WAF of Bass Strait crude oil and chemically dispersed crude oil, compared to the control treatment. In addition, LDH activity was significantly stimulated in the liver of fish exposed to dispersed crude oil WAF, compared to the crude oil WAF. Fish exposed to the dispersed crude oil WAF treatment had significantly higher oxygen consumption, as measured by oxygen depletion in a sealed chamber, than fish exposed to the crude oil WAF and control treatments.

Toxicity of Three Oil Spill Remediation Techniques to the Australian Bass Macquaria novemaculeata

Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, were exposed to the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait crude oil, dispersed crude oil, burnt crude oil, and 4-chlorophenol. The WAF of dispersed crude oil was the most toxic treatment with 96-h LC50 values of 7.15% (7.94% upper and 6.42% lower 95% CI) and 7.45% (8.26% upper and 6.71% lower 95% CI). The WAF of crude oil was less toxic, with 96-h LC50 values of 43.72% (49.21% upper and 38.87% lower 95% CI) and 45.87% (51.51% upper and 40.97% lower 95% CI). The WAF of burnt crude oil was the least toxic treatment with 96-h LC50 values of 49.81% (63.33% upper and 39.44% lower 95% CI) and 47.28% (59.72% upper and 37.62% lower 95% CI). Sublethal toxicity of the crude oil WAF and burnt crude oil WAF was observed at dilutions seven to eight times less than in the dispersed crude oil WAF.

Toxicity of crude oil and dispersed crude oil to ghost shrimpPalaemon serenus and larvae of Australian bassMacquaria novemaculeata

Acute 96-h LC50 values of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil, dispersants (Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527) and dispersed oil combinations were determined in semistatic bioassays with seawater, using the ghost shrimp Palaemon serenus and larval Australian bass (fish) Macquaria novemaculeata. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and zinc sulphate were used as reference toxicants and identical bioassays were conducted using these compounds. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) uptake of shrimp was also measured on the samples taken from the bioassays. The nominal mean (n=4) 96-h LC50 standard error (SE) values for WAF of crude oil, Corexit 9527, Corexit 9500, dispersed oil (9527) and dispersed oil (9500) were 258,000 ppm (13,000), 49.4 ppm (6.4), 83.1 ppm (5.8), 8.1 ppm (0.3), and 3.6 ppm (0.3) in the shrimp bioassays, respectively. The nominal mean (n=4) 96-h LC50 (SE) values calculated from the fish larval bioassays were 465,000 ppm (16,000), 14.3 ppm (0.9), 19.8 ppm (1.6), 28.5 ppm (1.4), and 14.1 ppm (2.6) for WAF of crude oil, Corexit 9527, Corexit 9500, dispersed oil (9527), and dispersed oil (9500), respectively. These LC50 values indicate that dispersed oil combinations were significantly more toxic to these organisms than WAF of crude oil. TPH uptake of shrimp increased in correlation to exposure concentrations, and the presence of dispersant made oil more available for shrimp. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 15: 91–98, 2000

Metabolic Enzyme Activities in Fish Gills as Biomarkers of Exposure to Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Metabolic effects of low-level exposure of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil and to dispersed crude oil were studied. Aerobic enzymes citrate synthase and cytochrome C oxidase, and anaerobic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase were measured in gills during a 4-day exposure to low concentrations of dispersed Bass Strait crude oil and WAF, and during the following 8 days of depuration in clean seawater. Relative to pre-exposure levels, citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase exhibited a significant inhibition of activity during exposure to the WAF of crude oil, and to dispersed crude oil, while activity of cytochrome C oxidase remained unchanged. Citrate synthase activities returned to preexposure levels after 4 days following termination of exposure for the WAF-exposed fish, and after 2 days for the dispersed-oil-exposed fish. After the termination of exposure to both treatments, lactate dehydrogenase activity remained low relative to levels measured prior to exposure, which indicated that the activity of this enzyme may be a sensitive medium to long-term biomarker of exposure to petroleum-contaminated water bodies.

Oil and dispersed oil toxicity to amphipods and snails

Acute 96-h LC50 values of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil, dispersants (Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527) and dispersed oil combinations were determined in semi-static bioassays with seawater, using the amphipod Allorchestes compressa (Dana). Sub-lethal bioassays (suppression of burying behaviour over 30 min and 24 h exposure) were also conducted for these toxicants, using the marine sand snail Polinices conicus (Lamarck) as the test organism. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and zinc sulphate were used as reference toxicants and identical bioassays were conducted using these compounds. The mean ( n = 4) 96 h LC50 (SE) values for WAF of crude oil, Corexit 9527, Corexit 9500, dispersed oil (9527) and dispersed oil (9500) were 311,000 ppm (5760), 3.03 ppm (0.05), 3.48 ppm (0.03), 16.2 ppm (2.8) and 14.8 ppm (0.8), respectively. The mean ( n = 4) 30 min EC50 (SE) values were 190,000 ppm (5600), 50.2 ppm (2.1), 58.9 ppm (3.1), 65.4 ppm (1.95) and 56.3 ppm (1.9) for WAF of crude oil, Corexit 9527, Corexit 9500, dispersed oil (9527) and dispersed oil (9500), respectively. These values reduced to 43,800 ppm (1400), 33.8 ppm (0.7), 42.3 ppm (1.1), 26.3 ppm (1.3) and 24.9 ppm (1.4) after 24 h exposure for WAF of crude oil, Corexit 9527, Corexit 9500, dispersed oil (9527) and dispersed oil (9500), respectively. These LC50 and EC50 values indicated that dispersed oil combinations were significantly more toxic to these organisms than WAF of crude oil. Caution should thus be used when deciding to use chemical dispersion as a remedial action for an oil spill in temperate inshore Australian waters.