Fate of Oil and Effects on Marine Life
Authors: Lasday A.H. , Mertens E.W. 
Published: December 2007

Results of an API research program show that temporary exposure of a marine organism to oil does not result in permanent contamination. The residues of oil after an offshore-platform mishap become relatively inert before they reach the most biologically sensitive shore line.

Introduction

Six years ago, the API began a research program to develop knowledge about the fate and effects of both crude oil and products that are accidentally spilled into the marine environment. This research has responded m the requirements for environmental-effects information on expanding offshore exploration and production efforts, as well as to increasing industry and public concerns for environmental protection.

This API-funded research has been conducted by qualified investigators at distinguished research institutions and universities. Though the API funded the research, the researchers have been free to express their own independent and unbiased results and conclusions.

All these API programs have been characterized by extensive chemical analyses in support of the biological studies. Specific hydrocarbon burdens of various tissues from exposed organisms, as well as from the water column and sediments, have been characterized accurately.

Initially, the API work concentrated on laboratory studies of both the acute and chronic toxicity of two crudes and two product oils on various marine organisms. Thereafter, in recognition of the artificiality of laboratory studies, experiments in the field began to supplant and to reinforce the original efforts, so that most of the currently sponsored API research involves field studies. The four test oils referred to - Kuwait and South Louisiana crudes, No. 2 fuel oil, and bunker C fuel oil - have been used in all pertinent subsequent experimental work. The API has made these four oils available as reference standards to other researchers. A listing of API contract researchers through 1974 is shown in Table 1.

Uptake and Depuration of Hydrocarbons by Marine Animals

Of the many topics investigated in the course of the API research program, one of greatest concern deals with oil contamination of marine organisms, and the possibility that food-chain concentration could pose a hazard for man. The question is whether oil, once taken up by a marine organism, would be permanently retained by that organism and, if so, whether the oil would become concentrated as it moves up the food chain. If such food-chain transfer did occur, in time the oil would reach some member of the food chain that is part of the human diet. Thus, it might constitute a threat to human health. This hypothesis has been advanced in many reports, reviews, environmental-impact statements, research proposals, and similar writings that are concerned with the effects of oil on marine life.

This hypothetical syndrome has been articulated best by Blumer et al. Following a spill of No. 2 fuel oil in Buzzards Bay near West Falmouth, Mass., in Sept. 1969, Blumer et al. analyzed oysters, scallops, and other marine organisms and found that they had taken up oil fractions. They kept three oysters in flowing sea water in the laboratory. They analyzed one oyster after it had been kept in this manner for 72 days, the other two after 180 days.

JPT

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