Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Preliminary Estimate of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Water and Some Commercially Important Fish Species in the Amba Estuary, West Coast of India

  • Published:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Amba Estuary, which receives effluent from several industries including a petrochemical complex, opens to the southern limits of the Mumbai Harbor. The study was conducted to find out the level of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) in water and their bioconcentration in ten commercially important fishes from Amba Estuary during different months. In water high concentration of TPHs (39.7 μg/L) was obtained during December (middle of estuary) and minimum value (7.2 μg/L) was observed in September (lower estuarine). The maximum concentration of TPHs was found to be in Trichiurus savala (3.2 µg/g) during December and minimum in Boleophthalmus sp (0.4 µg/g) during May. Irrespective of the monthly variations, TPHs accumulation in all the species was considerably lower than hazardous levels. Although there was no statistical significance between TPHs and total length/weight, the T. savala recording maximum concentration during all months and it can be used as indicator of hydrocarbon pollution in this region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alkindi AY, Brown JA, Waring CP, Collins JE (1996) Endocrine, osmo regulatory, respiratory and hematological parameters in flounder exposed to the water soluble fraction of crude oil. J Fish Biol 49:1291–1305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shwafi NAA (2008) Total petroleum hydrocarbon carcinogens in commercial fish in the Red sea and Gulf of Aden—Yemen. JKAU Mar Sci 29:15–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari ZA, Desilva C, Badesab S (2012) Total petroleum hydrocarbon in the tissue of some commercially important fishes of Bay of Bengal. Mar Pollut Bull 64:2564–2568

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashraf Waqar, Mian Atiq (2010) Total petroleum hydrocarbon burden in fish tissues from the Arabian Gulf. Toxicol Environ Chem 92:61–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft JD, Gamble M (2008) Theory and practice of histological techniques, 5th edn. Churchill Livingstone, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Barja Fernández S, Míguez JM, Alvarez-Otero R (2013) Histopathological effects of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in the gills, intestine and liver of turbot (Psetta maxima). Ecotoxicol Environ Safe 95:60–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernem CV, Wesnigk JB, Wunderlich M, Adam S, Callies U (2008) Oil pollution in marine ecosystems—policy, fate, effects and response. In: Environmental crisis, part of the series GKSS school of environmental research. Springer, pp 101–139

  • Bidleman TF, Castleberry AA, Foreman WT, Zaranski MT, Wall DW (1990) Petroleum hydrocarbons in the surface water of two estuaries in the southeastern United States. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 30:91–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chouksey MK, Kadam AN, Zingde MD (2004) Petroleum hydrocarbon residues in the marine environment of Bassein–Mumbai. Mar Pollut Bull 49:637–647

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Copat C, Brundo MV, Arena G, Grasso A, Oliveri Conti G, Ledda C, Fallico R, SciaccaS Ferrante M (2012) Seasonal variation of bioaccumulation in Engraulis encrasicolus (Linneaus, 1758) and related biomarkers of exposure. Ecotoxicol Environ Safe 86:31–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Das N, Chandran P (2011) Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants: an overview. Biotechnol Res Int 2011:1–13. doi:10.4061/2011/941810

    Google Scholar 

  • Dinesh Kumar PK, Josanto V, Sarma RV, Zingde MD (1997) Physical aspects of estuarine pollution—a case study in Amba River estuary. J Hum Ecol 7:1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • DouAbul AAZ (1984) Petroleum residues in the waters of Shatt Al-Arab River and the North-West region of the Arabian Gulf. Int J Environ 10:265–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durrani S, Siddiqui SA (1990) Hydrocarbon concentrations in sediment and animal tissue from the coastal water of Karachi. Mar Pollut Bull 21:397–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrhardt M, Burns KA (1999) Determination of petroleum residues dissolved and/or finely dispersed in surface seawater. In: Grosshoff K, Kremling K, Ehrhardt M (eds) Methods of seawater analysis. Wiley, Weinheim, pp 467–477

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • El-Deeb KZ, El-Ebiary EH (1988) Total aromatic hydrocarbon content in the muscle and liver lipid extracts of two sea bream fishes from the Arabian Gulf. Arab Gulf J Sci Res B6:139–151

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Samra MI, Emara HI, Shunbo E (1986) Dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons in the North-Western Arabian Gulf. Mar Pollut Bull 17:65–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1983) Manual of methods in aquatic environment research: Part9. Analyses of Methods and Organ chlorines in Fish. FAO Fishery Technical Paper No. 33:212

  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) (1982) The review of the health of the oceans. FAO/IMCO/UNESCO/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP). Rep Stud Gesamp 15:108

    Google Scholar 

  • GESAMP (1977) Joint group of experts on the scientific aspects of marine pollution. Impact of oil on the marine environment, GESAMP Reports and studies No. 6:250

  • GESAMP (2007) Estimates of oil entering the marine environment from sea based activities. International Maritime Organization, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellou J, Stenson G, Payne JF (1990) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in muscle tissue of marine mammals from the Northwest Atlantic. Mar Pollut Bull 21:469–473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IOC-UNESCO (1984) Manual for monitoring oil and dissolved dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons in marine waters and on beaches. Manual and Guides No. 13:35

  • Kumar PK, Sarma RV (1991) Flushing characteristics of Amba River estuary, west coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci 20:212–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Kvenvolden KA, Cooper CK (2003) Natural seepage of crude oil into the marine environment. Geo Mar Lett 23:140–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law RJ (1981) Hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediments from UK marine waters, determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Mar Pollut Bull 12:153–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law R, Andrulewicz E (1983) Hydrocarbons in water, sediment and mussels from the southern Baltic Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 14:289–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law RJ, Kelly CA, Graham KL, Wood head RJ, Dyrynda PEJ, Dyrynda EA (1997) Hydrocarbons and PAH in fish and shellfish from Southwest Wales following the Sea Empress oil spill in 1996. In: Proceeding, 1997, International Oil Spill Conference. American Petroleum Institute, Washington, DC, pp 205–211

  • Marchand M, Caprais JC (1985) Hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons in coastal waters of the English Channel and the North Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 16:78–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marchand M, Caprais JC, Pignet P (1988) Hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons in coastal waters of the western mediterranean (France). Mar Environ Res 25:131–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta P, Kadam AN, Gajbhiye SN, Desai BN (1994) Petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in selected species of fish and prawn from North West coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci 23:123–125

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore SF, Dwyer RL (1974) Effects of oil on marine organisms: a critical assessment of published data. Water Res 8:819–827

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NAS (2003) Oil in the sea III: inputs, fates, and effects. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Natarajan M, Balasubramanian T, Ponnusamy G, Raja P (2006) Distribution of dissolved and dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal waters of Tamilnadu and Andhrapradesh. J Annamalai Univ Sci 42:63–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Pande A, Nayak GN (2013) Depositional environment and elemental distribution with time in mudflats of Dharamtar creek, West coast of India. Indian J Geo Mar Sci 42:360–369

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paulinose VT, Devi CB, Govidan K, Gajbhije SN, Nair VR (2004) The larve of decapods and fisher of Amba Estuary. Maharashtra, Fishery Survey of India

    Google Scholar 

  • Pikkarainen A-L, Lemponen P (2005) Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in Baltic Sea subsurface water. Boreal Environ Res 10:125–134

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ram A, Rokade MA, Zingde MD (2009) Mercury enrichment in sediments of Amba Estuary. Indian J Mar Sci 38:88–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Readman JW, Mantoura RFC, Rhead MM, Brown L (1982) Aquatic distribution and heterotrophic degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Tamar Estuary. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 4:369–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selvaraj K, Jonathan MP, Mohan VR, Thangaraj GS, Pugalendhi M, Jayaraman B (1999) Observations of petroleum hydrocarbons and some water quality parameters during oil spill, near madras harbour. Indian J Mar Sci 28:245–248

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sen Gupta R, Qasim SZ, Fondekar SP, Topgi RS (1980) Dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons in some regions of the northern Indian Ocean. Mar Pollut Bull 11:65–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sen Gupta R, Fondekar SP, Alagarsamy R (1993) State of oil pollution in the northern Arabian Sea after the 1991 Gulf oil spill. Mar Pollut Bull 27:85–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shriadah MA (1999) Oil contamination along oil tanker routes off the United Arab Emirates. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 63:203–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shriadah MA (2001) Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in Arabian Gulf fish tissues. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 67:560–567

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sukumaran S, Mulik J, Rokade MA, Kamble A (2014) Impact of ‘Chitra’ oil spill on tidal pool macrobenthic communities of a tropical rocky shore (Mumbai, India). Estuaries Coasts 37:1415–1431

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swamy NG, Kolhatkar VM, Fernandes AA (1980) Currents and siltation at Dharamtar creek, Bombay. Mahasagar Bull Natl Inst Oceanogr 31:191–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Tahir NM, Abdullah AR, Shanmugam S (1997) Determination of total hydrocarbon concentration in coastal waters and sediments off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Environ Geochem Health 19:67–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Topgi RS, Noronha RJ, Fondekar SP, Gupta S (1982) Dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons along the oil tanker route in southern Bay of Bengal. Indian J Mar Sci 11:175–176

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Veerasingam S, Venkatachalapathy R, Raja P, Sudhakar S, Rajeswari V, Mohamad Asanulla R, Mohan R, Sutharsan P (2011) Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in ten commercial fish species along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18:687–693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Yang C, Parrott JL, Frank RA, Yang Z, Brown CE, Hollebone BP, Landriault M, Fieldhouse B, Liu Y, Zhang G, Hewitt LM (2014) Forensic source differentiation of petrogenic, pyrogenic and biogenic hydrocarbons in Canadian oil sands environmental samples. J Hazard Mater 25:166–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the Director and Scientist-in-charge of CSIR-NIO-RC Mumbai, encouraging the work and for providing all the necessary instruments and funding facilities. This is CSIR-NIO contribution number 5886.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Mumbai, 400 053, India

    M. Nageswar Rao, Anirudh Ram, M. A. Rokade, P. Raja, P. S. Rakesh, Parul Chemburkar & S. N. Gajbhiye

Authors
  1. M. Nageswar Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anirudh Ram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. A. Rokade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Raja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P. S. Rakesh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Parul Chemburkar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. S. N. Gajbhiye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anirudh Ram.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nageswar Rao, M., Ram, A., Rokade, M.A. et al. A Preliminary Estimate of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Water and Some Commercially Important Fish Species in the Amba Estuary, West Coast of India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 97, 56–62 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1819-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1819-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation