Petroleum Exposure Research Articles

The effect of chemical dispersion and temperature on the metabolic and cardiac responses to physically dispersed crude oil exposure in larval American lobster (Homarus americanus)

Despite their potential vulnerability to oil spills, little is known about the physiological effects of petroleum exposure and spill responses in cold-water marine animal larvae. We investigated the effects of physically dispersed (water-accommodated fraction, WAF) and chemically dispersed (chemically enhanced WAF, CEWAF; using Slickgone EW) conventional heavy crude oil on the routine metabolic rate and heart rate of stage I larval American lobster (Homarus americanus). We found no effects of 24-h exposure to sublethal concentrations of crude oil WAF or CEWAF at 12 °C. We then investigated the effect of sublethal concentrations of WAFs at three environmentally relevant temperatures (9, 12, 15 °C). The highest WAF concentration increased metabolic rate at 9 °C, whereas it decreased heart rate and increased mortality at 15 °C. Overall, metabolic and cardiac function of American lobster larvae is relatively resilient to conventional heavy crude oil and Slickgone EW exposure, but responses to WAF may be temperature-dependent.

Impact of Petroleum Exposure on Some Hematological Indices, Interleukin-6, and Inflammatory Markers of Workers at Petroleum Stations in Basra City.

Background Occupational and environmental exposure to several pollutant factors such as petroleum products containing benzene has toxic effects on different body systems. The hematopoietic system and immune system are among the affected systems. This study aims to investigate the effect of benzene exposure on some blood parameters of workers at several fuel stations in Basra city, as well as to reveal if the continuous exposure may induce an inflammatory response, which is reflected by changes in some hematological and inflammatory markers. Methods The study included two groups of males. The first group consists of 72 exposed workers at petrol stations in different locations in the Basra city. The other group is the control group, which consists of 75 nonexposed subjects (students and faculty members of the college). Different hematological parameters (WBC, RBC, HGB, MCV, MCHC, and MCH) have been evaluated. Serum concentrations of IL-6 and hs-CRP were estimated in all workers and nonexposed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Data showed significant hematological changes in the exposed workers, and that anemia was a common disorder among them. Furthermore, there was a significant decline in WBC and different types of WBC including lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils in the exposed workers. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum levels of interleukin-6 and hs-CRP were significantly higher in exposed workers than in nonexposed. A significant correlation was identified among blood parameters, while a strong inverse correlation was identified between both MCHC and ESR. The most significant inverse correlation was found between RBC and IL-6 and MCH with hs-CRP. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between monocytes and IL-6. Conclusion The changes in all hematology and inflammatory parameters refer to damage in the hematopoietic system due to continuous exposure to vapors of petrol products, which also result in a significant increase in interleukin-6.

Ecotoxicological effects of petroleum-contaminated soil on the earthworm Eisenia fetida

Petroleum is an important industrial raw material that enters the soil during production and use and is harmful to soil organisms. To evaluate the toxicity of petroleum-contaminated soil, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were used as model organisms for soil ecotoxicity studies. We found that earthworm weight and cocoon production decreased significantly after exposure to petroleum-contaminated soil. In addition, soil contaminated with high concentrations of petroleum can cause damage to the DNA within earthworm seminal vesicles. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and peroxidase activities were significantly inhibited when earthworms were exposed to petroleum-contaminated soil, indicating that oxidative stress was induced by petroleum pollutants. The mRNA levels of annetocin precursor, a reproduction-related gene, was significantly inhibited after petroleum exposure. The mRNA levels of translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) and SOD exhibited a concentration-dependent relationship, and their relative expression increased with petroleum concentration.

Integrating Results of Field Biomonitoring and Mesocosm Experiments To Validate Postspill Impacts of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on Stream Benthic Communities.

We integrated the results of field surveys with a mesocosm experiment to quantify the ecological impacts of a gasoline and diesel spill on a third-order stream in western Colorado (United States). The spill caused a massive fish-kill of brown trout ( Salmo trutta) and mottled sculpin ( Cottus bairdii), which extended several kilometers downstream. Despite significant decreases in petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations, subsequent surveys indicated little recovery of fish populations 4 years after the spill. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were also affected, yet some metrics commonly used to assess stream ecological integrity (e.g., total abundance and species richness) showed no difference between impacted and reference sites. The failure of some groups to recover 2.5 years after the spill was likely a result of their comparatively slow reproduction and recolonization rates. To support our hypothesis that effects observed in the field resulted from petroleum exposure, we conducted a mesocosm experiment in which benthic macroinvertebrate communities were exposed to a simulated diesel spill. We observed significant decreases in the abundance of most macroinvertebrate groups at the lowest exposure concentration (75 mg/L diesel) and a strong concentration-dependent drift response across all groups. Our study suggests that relatively small petroleum spills can significantly affect stream communities, and these effects may persist several years after sediment concentrations return to background levels.

Changes in white cell estimates and plasma chemistry measurements following oral or external dosing of double-crested cormorants, Phalacocorax auritus, with artificially weathered MC252 oil

Scoping studies were designed whereby double-crested cormorants (Phalacocorax auritus) were dosed with artificially weathered Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil either daily through oil injected feeder fish, or by application of oil directly to feathers every three days. Preening results in oil ingestion, and may be an effective means of orally dosing birds with toxicant to improve our understanding of the full range of physiological effects of oral oil ingestion on birds. Blood samples collected every 5–6 days were analyzed for a number of clinical endpoints including white blood cell (WBC) estimates and differential cell counts. Plasma biochemical evaluations were performed for changes associated with oil toxicity. Oral dosing and application of oil to feathers resulted in clinical signs and statistically significant changes in a number of biochemical endpoints consistent with petroleum exposure. In orally dosed birds there were statistically significant decreases in aspartate amino transferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, glucose, and total protein concentrations, and increases in plasma urea, uric acid, and phosphorus concentrations. Plasma electrophoresis endpoints (pre-albumin, albumin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin, and gamma globulin concentrations and albumin: globulin ratios) were decreased in orally dosed birds. Birds with external oil had increases in urea, creatinine, uric acid, creatine kinase (CK), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), phosphorus, calcium, chloride, potassium, albumin, alpha-1 globulin and alpha-2 globulin. Decreases were observed in AST, beta globulin and glucose. WBC also differed between treatments; however, this was in part driven by monocytosis present in the externally oiled birds prior to oil treatment.

Petroleum Carcinogenicity and Aerodigestive Tract: In Context of Developing Nations.

Head and neck cancers from a diverse group of neoplasms, the occurrence of which can be attributed to habitual tobacco use, race, alcohol consumption, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, occupational exposure, viruses, and diet. The surging incidence rates reflect the prevalence of risk factors such as tobacco use (smoked and smokeless), betel nut chewing, urbanization and issues relating to urban air quality. Urbanization and development have catalyzed a multifold rise in levels of pollution in metropolitan cities. Ever-increasing consumption of fuels to meet demands of the growing population coupled with industrial activity has adversely affected the air quality, especially in developing countries. The cause most neglected in risk assessment of aerodigestive tract cancer research is that from petroleum exposure. The global issue of petroleum carcinogenicity has assumed high proportions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals are essential constituents of total petroleum hydrocarbons which infiltrate into the environment and are recognized worldwide as priority pollutants because of their toxicity and carcinogenicity. High levels of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, ammonia and particulate matter PM10 has skyrocketed aerodigestive tract diseases especially carcinomas. The identification of specific biomarkers and role of metal ions in aerodigestive tract cancers will indicate the molecular basis of disease to provide quality care for patients confronting new threats from climate-sensitive pathologies. There is an urgent need to evaluate existing public health infrastructure so as to take ameliorative and adaptive measures.

Low reproductive success rates of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the northern Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon disaster (2010-2015)

ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials ESR 33:143-158 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00775 Low reproductive success rates of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the northern Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon disaster (2010-2015) Nicholas M. Kellar1,*, Todd R. Speakman2, Cynthia R. Smith3, Suzanne M. Lane2, Brian C. Balmer2,4, Marisa L. Trego1, Krista N. Catelani1, Michelle N. Robbins1, Camryn D. Allen1, Randall S. Wells4, Eric S. Zolman2, Teresa K. Rowles5, Lori H. Schwacke2 1Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 2Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA 3National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA 4Chicago Zoological Society, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA 5Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA *Corresponding author: nick.kellar@noaa.gov ABSTRACT: Following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, reproductive success rates in 2 northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) bottlenose dolphin stocks exposed to oil were evaluated for 4 yr during and after the spill (2010 to 2015) in efforts to assess population-level reproductive health. Pregnancy was determined from either (1) ultrasound examinations of the reproductive tract during capture-release health assessments, or (2) endocrine evaluations of blubber tissue collected from dart biopsies of free-ranging dolphins. Follow-up photo-identification was then used to track the status of pregnant females and any associated neonatal calves for a minimum of 1 yr after the initial pregnancy detection (IPD). For all pregnant females observed following IPD, individuals seen with a calf (reproductive success) and without one (reproductive failure) were recorded. The resulting estimated reproductive success rates for both GoM stocks (19.4%; 7/36) were less than a third of those previously reported in other areas not impacted by the spill (i.e. Sarasota Bay, FL; Indian River Lagoon, FL; and Charleston Harbor, SC) using similar techniques (64.7%; 22/34). We also evaluated the relationships between reproductive success and 13 potential covariates, including stock, ordinal date, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormone concentrations, leukocyte count, lung health score, and total body length. Among these, the results only provide strong evidence (Bayes factor >20) of a relationship between reproductive failure and the total leukocyte count covariate. The high reproductive failure rates measured in both GoM stocks following the DWH oil spill are consistent with mammalian literature that shows a link between petroleum exposure and reproductive abnormalities and failures. KEY WORDS: Oil spill · Petroleum · Pregnancy · Reproductive failure · Cetacean · Blubber progesterone · Ultrasound Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Kellar NM, Speakman TR, Smith CR, Lane SM and others (2017) Low reproductive success rates of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the northern Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon disaster (2010-2015). Endang Species Res 33:143-158. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00775 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESR Vol. 33. Online publication date: January 31, 2017 Print ISSN: 1863-5407; Online ISSN: 1613-4796 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Wetland shoreline recession in the Mississippi River Delta from petroleum oiling and cyclonic storms

AbstractWe evaluate the relative impact of petroleum spill and storm surge on near‐shore wetland loss by quantifying the lateral movement of coastal shores in upper Barataria Bay, Louisiana (USA), between June 2009 and October 2012, a study period that extends from the year prior to the Deepwater Horizon spill to 2.5 years following the spill. We document a distinctly different pattern of shoreline loss in the 2 years following the spill, both from that observed in the year prior to the spill, during which there was no major cyclonic storm, and from change related to Hurricane Isaac, which made landfall in August 2012. Shoreline erosion following oiling was far more spatially extensive and included loss in areas protected from wave‐induced erosion. We conclude that petroleum exposure can substantially increase shoreline recession particularly in areas protected from storm‐induced degradation and disproportionally alters small oil‐exposed barrier islands relative to natural erosion.

Effects of chronic dietary petroleum exposure on reproductive development in polar cod (Boreogadus saida)

Increasing human activities in the Arctic raise the risk of petroleum pollution, thus posing an elevated risk for Arctic organisms to be chronically exposed to petroleum compounds. The endocrine disrupting properties of some of these compounds (i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]) present in crude oil may have negative effects on the long and energy intensive reproductive development of polar cod (Boreogadus saida), an Arctic keystone species. In the present study, selected reproductive parameters were examined in feral polar cod exposed to crude oil via a natural diet (0.11, 0.57 and 1.14μg crude oil/g fish/day [corresponding to low, medium and high treatments, respectively]) for 31 weeks prior to spawning. Fish maturing in the current reproductive period made up 92% of the experimental population while 5% were immature and 3% were identified as resting fish. Phase I metabolism of PAHs, indicated by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, showed a dose-dependent increase in high and medium crude oil treatments at week 6 and 22, respectively. Decreasing EROD activity and increasing PAH bile metabolite concentrations over the experimental period may be explained by reproductive maturity stage. Significant alterations in sperm motility were observed in crude oil exposed males compared to the controls. The investigated somatic indices (gonad and hepatic), germ cell development and plasma steroid levels (estradiol-17β [females], testosterone [males and females] and 11-ketotestosterone [males]) were not significantly altered by chronic dietary exposure to crude oil. The environmentally realistic doses polar cod were chronically exposed to in this study were likely not high enough to induce adverse effects in this ecologically important fish species. This study elucidated many baseline aspects of polar cod reproductive physiology and emphasized the influence of maturation state on biomarkers of PAH biotransformation (EROD and PAH bile metabolites).

Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Patients with Acute Radiation Syndrome Following the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident

The MDS cases (n=3) among acute radiation syndrome (ARS) survivors after the ChNPP accident were analyzed. MDS diagnoses were based on FAB (1982) and WHO classifications and included the refractory anemia (RA) (patient D. with ARS grade III), refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS) (patient B. with ARS grade III), and unclassified MDS (MDS-U) (patient S. with ARS grade I). Clinical management of MDS in ARS patients was analyzed taking into consideration the morphological, immunological, and cytochemical peculiarities of haemopoietic cells. The ARS diagnoses were confirmed in a survey on a regular basis using standard cytogenetic method. Described MDS cases in ARS patients may be the secondary MDS variants taking into consideration possible radiation-induced injuries of hematopoietic cell genome due to the high dose of IR (1.7-5.5 Sv). The possible role of previous irradiation in a range of occupational dose limits before the ChNPP catastrophe for patients D. and B. with ARS grade III, both with possible role of such a confounding factor as petroleum exposure for patient S. (ARS grade I) for the development of MDS cannot be excluded.

Petroleum contaminated water and health symptoms: a cross-sectional pilot study in a rural Nigerian community.

BackgroundThe oil-rich Niger Delta suffers from extensive petroleum contamination. A pilot study was conducted in the region of Ogoniland where one community, Ogale, has drinking water wells highly contaminated with a refined oil product. In a 2011 study, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) sampled Ogale drinking water wells and detected numerous petroleum hydrocarbons, including benzene at concentrations as much as 1800 times higher than the USEPA drinking water standard. UNEP recommended immediate provision of clean drinking water, medical surveillance, and a prospective cohort study. Although the Nigerian government has provided emergency drinking water, other UNEP recommendations have not been implemented. We aimed to (i) follow up on UNEP recommendations by investigating health symptoms associated with exposure to contaminated water; and (ii) assess the adequacy and utilization of the government-supplied emergency drinking water.MethodsWe recruited 200 participants from Ogale and a reference community, Eteo, and administered questionnaires to investigate water use, perceived water safety, and self-reported health symptoms.ResultsOur multivariate regression analyses show statistically significant associations between exposure to Ogale drinking water and self-reported health symptoms consistent with petroleum exposure. Participants in Ogale more frequently reported health symptoms related to neurological effects (OR = 2.8), hematological effects (OR = 3.3), and irritation (OR = 2.7).ConclusionsOur results are the first from a community relying on drinking water with such extremely high concentrations of benzene and other hydrocarbons. The ongoing exposure and these pilot study results highlight the need for more refined investigation as recommended by UNEP.

Maternal benzene exposure during pregnancy and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies.

BackgroundThe prevalence of childhood leukemia is increasing rapidly all over the world. However, studies on maternal benzene exposure during pregnancy and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have not been systematically assessed. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between maternal solvent, paint, petroleum exposure, and smoking during pregnancy and risk of childhood ALL.MethodsRelevant studies up to September 1st, 2013 were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and the Web of Science databases. The effects were pooled using either fixed or random effect models based on the heterogeneity of the studies.ResultsTwenty-eight case-control studies and one cohort study were included for analysis, with a total of 16,695 cases and 1,472,786 controls involved. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for ALL was 1.25 (1.09, 1.45) for solvent, 1.23 (1.02, 1.47) for paint, 1.42 (1.10, 1.84) for petroleum exposure, and 0.99 (0.93, 1.06) for maternal smoking during pregnancy. No publication bias was found in this meta-analysis and consistent results were observed for subgroup and sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsChildhood ALL was associated with maternal solvent, paint, and petroleum exposure during pregnancy. No association was found between ALL and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Avoidance of maternal occupational and environmental benzene exposure during pregnancy could contribute to a decrease in the risk of childhood ALL.

Dermatological effects of weathered petroleum exposure (844.18)

Nearly 5 million barrels of oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon oil well failure, making it undoubtedly the largest environmental disaster response effort in U.S. history. Spill remediation workers were continuously exposed to weathered oil and appeared to suffer a myriad of health effects, including contact dermatitis. However, the mechanism by which crude oil exposure induces skin inflammation has not been examined. To investigate this pathology, a mouse model of seven day exposure to weathered crude oil or acetone (control) was utilized, employing C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice. Immunohistochemistry, multiplex protein analysis, and real‐time PCR were then conducted on skin samples isolated from each strain. Inflammatory cytokine expression showed that oil exposure increased IL‐6, CXCL10, and CCL2 levels, the extent of which differed based on mouse strain. Histopathology showed obvious inflammation in the oil exposed skin, primarily characterized by epidermal thickening and neutrophil infiltration, and this was most pronounced in Balb/c mice. Oil exposure increased M1 macrophage skin infiltration but not M2 as indicated by CD86 versus CD206 expression respectively. These results suggest that weathered oil is indeed a skin irritant, and genetic predisposition may influence the severity of the skin inflammation.Grant Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS R03 ES020546‐01A1

Estimating the capability of microalgae to physiological acclimatization and genetic adaptation to petroleum and diesel oil contamination

There is increasing scientific interest in how phytoplankton reacts to petroleum contamination, since crude oil and its derivatives are generating extensive contamination of aquatic environments. However, toxic effects of short-term petroleum exposure are more widely known than the adaptation of phytoplankton to long-term petroleum exposure. An analysis of short-term and long-term effects of petroleum exposure was done using experimental populations of freshwater (Scenedesmus intermedius and Microcystis aeruginosa) and marine (Dunaliella tertiolecta) microalgae isolated from pristine sites without crude oil product contamination. These strains were exposed to increased levels of petroleum and diesel oil. Short-term exposure to petroleum or diesel oil revealed a rapid inhibition of photosynthetic performance and cell proliferation in freshwater and marine phytoplankton species. A broad degree of inter-specific variation in lethal contamination level was observed. When different strains were exposed to petroleum or diesel oil over the long-term, the cultures showed massive destruction of the sensitive cells. Nonetheless, after further incubation, some cultures were able to grow again due to cells that were resistant to the toxins. By means of a fluctuation analysis, discrimination between cells that had become resistant due to physiological acclimatization and resistant cells arising from rare spontaneous mutations was accomplished. In addition, an analysis was done as to the maximum capacity of adaptation to a gradual contamination process. An experimental ratchet protocol was used, which maintains a strong selection pressure in a temporal scale up to several months over very large experimental populations of microalgae. Microalgae are able to survive to petroleum contamination as a result of physiological acclimatization without genetic changes. However, when petroleum concentration exceeds the physiological limits, survival depends exclusively on the occurrence on mutations that confer resistance and subsequent selection of these mutants. Finally, it is certain that further mutations and selection will ultimately determine adaptation of microalgae to the environmental forcing.

Effect of Petroleum Gauze Packing on the Mechanical Properties of Suture Materials

To test the tensile properties of knotted suture made of 4 different suture materials and exposed to petroleum gauze. We tested the tensile strength of United States Pharmacopeia size 0-0 gauge polydioxanone, polyglyconate, glycolide/lactide copolymer, and silk when exposed to petroleum packing or saline. Suture materials were randomized, and knots were tied and then evaluated via tensiometer to the point of knot failure. A total of 285 knots were tied in 8 groups based on material and exposure to saline or petroleum gauze. We found that petroleum exposure knots failed at a mean of 116.7 N (SD = 31.5) and that saline soaked knots failed at 123.8 N (SD = 32.0). We conducted a 4 × 2 factorial analysis of variance, finding knots exposed to petroleum failed at a statistically significantly lower tensile strengths than saline soaked knots (p = 0.002). Petroleum-exposed sutures fail at lower tensions than saline-exposed sutures.

Biomonitoring of oral epithelial cells in petrol station attendants: Comparison between buccal mucosa and lateral border of the tongue

Owing to the influence of geno- and cytotoxicity on chemical carcinogenesis, studies have demonstrated that petroleum derivatives are able to induce genetic damage and cellular death with conflicting results so far. The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate DNA damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) in exfoliated oral mucosa cells from gas petrol attendants using two different anatomic buccal sites: cheek mucosa and lateral border of the tongue. A total of 23 gas petrol attendants and 23 health controls (non-exposed individuals) were included in this setting. Individuals had epithelial cells from cheek and lateral border of the tongue mechanically exfoliated, placed in fixative and dropped in clean slides which were checked for the above nuclear phenotypes. The results pointed out significant statistical differences ( p < 0.05) of micronucleated oral mucosa cells from gas petrol attendants for both oral sites evaluated. In the same way, petroleum derivate exposure was able to increase other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity such as karyorrhexis, pyknosis and karyolysis, being the most pronunciated effects as those found in the lateral border of the tongue. No interaction was observed between smoking and petroleum exposure. In summary, these data indicate that gas petrol attendants comprise a high risk group for DNA damage and cellular death. It seems that the lateral border of the tongue is a more sensitive site to geno- and cytotoxic insult induced by petroleum derivates.

Use of Biomarkers in Oil Spill Risk Assessment in the Marine Environment

ABSTRACT Numerous molecular, cellular, and physiological biomarkers have been used to assess the responses of marine animals to petroleum compounds. To be used in ecological risk assessment after an oil spill, a biomarker response needs to be linked to petroleum exposure and not strongly influenced by internal and external confounding factors. Biomarker responses to petroleum PAH, dominated by alklated two-and three-ringed aromatics, can be quite different than responses to pyrogenic PAH, dominated by four-and five-ringed aromatics. In many field sites there is a mixture of petrogenic and pyrogenic PAH, along with other contaminants, making it difficult to relate biomarker responses to a particular contaminant class. Biomarkers used to assess marine animal responses in the field include the cytochrome P450 system, heat stress protein, histopathology, and bile fluorescent compounds (FAC). Other biomarkers, including DNA/chromosomal damage and phase 2 enzymes, have been shown to respond after laboratory exposure, but more work needs to be done to demonstrate their usefulness in the field. One of the most useful biomarkers of petroleum exposure are the FAC responses in fish, which can be used to distinguish between petrogenic and pyrogenic PAH exposure. Few of the presently used biomarkers are linked to higher order biological effects, e.g. toxicity, reproductive failure.

Cellular physiological effects of the MV Kyowa violet fuel‐oil spill on the hard coral, Porites lobata

The grounding of the Merchant Vessel (MV) Kyowa Violet on a coral reef near Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, in December 2002 resulted in the release of an estimated 55,000 to 80,000 gallons of intermediate fuel oil grade 180. The immediate impact was the widespread coating of mangroves and the intertidal zone along more than 8 km of coastline. Of greater concern, however, was the partitioning of the fuel oil in the water column, leading to chronic exposure of organisms in the ecosystem for a considerable period after the initial event. Herein, we report on our examination of one coral species, Porites lobata, nearly three months after the initial exposure. We investigated whether changes in cellular physiology were consistent with the pathological profile that results from the interaction of corals with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the principal constituent of fuel oil. Specifically, we document, to our knowledge for the first time, changes in the cellular physiological condition of an exposed coral population affected by a fuel-oil spill. We also provide evidence that the observed changes are consistent with a recent exposure to fuel oil, as evidenced by the presence of characteristic cellular lesions attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Finally, our data support a model for a mechanistic relationship between the cellular pathological profile of the coral and a recent petroleum exposure, such as the MV Kyowa Violet fuel oil spill.

Phospholipid fatty acids of a marine sedimentary microbial community in a laboratory microcosm: Responses to petroleum hydrocarbon contamination

Laboratory microcosm experiments were performed to evaluate petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition in either non-contaminated (NC) or contaminated (C) sedimentary microcosms with a crude oil. An analytical procedure was developed to extract both hydrocarbons and PLFAs from the same culture. PLFAs were analyzed over time during an aerobic microcosm experiment (0–21 days) to obtain a better understanding of the structural changes in bacterial sedimentary communities. We observed an increase in both hydrocarbon degraders and heterotrophic bacteria as reflected in PLFA concentrations. Inferred total biomass ranged from 4 to 11.3 × 10 9 and 22.1 to 199.2 × 10 9 bacterial cells kg −1 dry sediment for NC and C sediments, respectively. Total biomass was greater in C than NC sediment, increasing by about twice, 3×, 13× and 50× for 0, 2, 7 and 21 days, respectively. These modifications coincided with removal of petroleum hydrocarbons that reached 35% of total hydrocarbon and 64% of total n-alkanes after 21 days. Microbial community structure changes over time in the C and NC microcosms were shown with principal components analysis and a study of some characteristic PLFAs as biomarkers. Some modifications occurred after several days of petroleum exposure, but crude oil addition did not produce an obvious increase in the biomass of petroleum degraders.

Prostate cancer risk from occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons interacting with the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism

Background: Variation in the glutathione S-transferase ( GSTP1) gene and occupational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure are putative prostate cancer risk factors. An Ile/ Val polymorphism in codon 105 of GSTP1 affects its enzymatic activity toward PAH detoxification, a possible mechanism in prostate carcinogenesis. Methods: To determine whether the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism modifies prostate cancer risk associated with occupational PAH exposure, we studied 637 prostate cancer cases and 244 controls of White and African-American race from the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan. Occupational exposure to PAH from wood, petroleum, coal or other sources through respiratory and cutaneous routes was retrospectively assessed by expert review of job histories. The association of occupational PAH exposure and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism with prostate cancer was tested in multiple logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Cases were over sampled compared with controls to evaluate gene–environment interaction with the statistically efficient case-only analytic approach. Results: Neither carriage of the GSTP1 Val 105 variant allele nor occupational PAH exposure was significantly associated with prostate cancer. However, case-only analyses revealed that carriage of the GSTP1 Val 105 variant allele was associated with increasing levels of occupational respiratory PAH exposures from any source and from petroleum (trend test p = 0.01 for both). The GSTP1 Val 105 allele was observed most frequently in cases in the highest quartile of occupational respiratory PAH exposures from petroleum (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.11–2.72) or from any source (OR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.19–2.89). The gene–environment risk estimate in the highest PAH petroleum exposure quartile was greatest in men under age 60 (OR = 4.52; 95% CI = 1.96–10.41) or with a positive family history of prostate cancer (OR = 3.02; 95% CI = 1.15–7.92). Conclusions: Our results suggest men who carry the GSTP1 Val 105 variant and are exposed at high levels to occupational PAH have increased risk for prostate cancer. This increased risk is more pronounced in men under age 60 or with a family history of prostate cancer.