Photo-enhanced toxicity of two weathered Macondo crude oils to early life stages of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Issue 1 (15th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finch, Bryson E.; Stefansson, Emily S.; Langdon, Chris J.; Pargee, Suzanne M.; Blunt, Susanna M.; Gage, Susan J.; Stubblefield, William A.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 113:Issue 1/2(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 316
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2016-12-15
• Subjects: Phototoxicity -- UV light -- Oysters -- Deepwater Horizon -- Macondo crude oil; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been reported to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light, resulting in enhanced toxicity. Early developmental stages of bivalves may be particularly susceptible to photo-enhanced toxicity during oil spills. In the current study, toxicity tests were conducted with sperm and three larval ages of the eastern oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) to evaluate the photo-enhanced toxicity of low-energy water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of two weathered Macondo crude oils collected from the Deepwater Horizon incident. Larvae exposed to oil WAFs under UV-filtered light demonstrated consistently higher survival and normal development than larvae exposed to WAFs under UV light. The phototoxicity of weathered Macondo oil increased as a function of increasing UV light intensity and dose. Early developing oyster larvae were the most sensitive to photo-enhanced toxicity, whereas later shelled prodissoconch larvae were insensitive. Comparisons between two weathered crude oils demonstrated that toxicity was dependent on phototoxic PAH concentration and UV light intensity. Highlights: Weathered Macondo crude oil was phototoxic to early larvae stages of eastern oysters. Photo-enhanced toxicity was dependent on eastern oyster life stage. Shelled veliger stage eastern oysters were not sensitive to phototoxicity. Photo-enhanced toxicity was dependent on phototoxic PAHs and UV light.