Publication Details
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Effects of Salinity on Oil Dispersant Toxicity in the Mud Snail, Ilyannasa obsoleta
Author(s): DeLorenzo, M.E., Evans, B.*, Chung, K.W., Key, P.B., Fulton, M.H
NCCOS Center: CCFHR
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal Title: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Date of Publication: 2017
Reference Information:
Abstract: Chemical dispersants can be a beneficial method for
breaking up oil slicks; however, their use inmitigation could pose
potential toxic effects on the marine ecosystem. Dispersants may
be transported to lower salinity habitats, where toxicity data for
aquatic species have not been established. This study examined
the effect of salinity on oil dispersant toxicity in the eastern mud
snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta, using two dispersants authorized for oil
spill response, Corexit® 9500A and Finasol® OSR 52. Median
lethal toxicity values (LC50) and sublethal effectswere examined
at 10, 20, and 30 ppt salinity in adult and larval mud snails. Two
biomarkers (lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase) were
used to measure sublethal effects. The 96-h static renewal
LC50 values indicated significant differences in toxicity between
dispersants and salinities. Larval snails were significantly more
sensitive than adult snails to both dispersants, and both life stages
were significantly more sensitive to Finasol than to Corexit.
Larval snails were more sensitive to dispersants at lower salinity,
but adult snails were more sensitive at higher salinities.
Dispersants increased lipid peroxidation and decreased acetylcholinesterase
activity. These results demonstrate that dispersant
toxicity varies among compounds and organism life stages, and
that physicochemical properties of the environment, such as salinity,
can affect the potential toxicity to estuarine species.
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