Abstract
To better understand the potential impacts of the deepwater horizon oil spill on lower trophic level food sources, a series of toxicological laboratory experiments were conducted with two microalgae species. The acute toxicity of oil (tar mat and MC252 crude oil), dispersant (Corexit 9500A), and dispersed oil on growth inhibition (IC50) and motility of Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros sp. were determined. There was no impact on cell division (growth) for microalgae exposed to both oil types and mean motility of I. galbana never dropped below 79 %. However, the addition of dispersant inhibited cell division and motility within 24 h, with Chaetoceros sp. being more susceptible to sublethal effects than I. galbana. These results highlight microalgae sensitivity to the use of dispersants in bioremediation processes, which may be a concern for long-term impacts on fisheries recruitment.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allan SE, Smith BW, Anerdon KA (2012) Impact of the deepwater horizon oil spill on bioavailable polyaromatic hydrocarbons in Gulf of Mexico coastal waters. Environ Sci Technol 46:2033–2039
Barron MG, Ka’aihue L (2003) Critical evaluation of CROSERF test methods for oil dispersant toxicity testing under subarctic conditions. Mar Pollut Bull 46:1191–1199
Bocard C, Castaing G, Gatellier C (1984) Chemical oil dispersion in trials at sea and in laboratory tests: the key role of dilution processes. In: Allen TE (ed) Oil spill chemical dispersants, research, experience, and recommendation. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, pp 125–142
Burridge TR, Shir M (1995) The comparative effects of oil, dispersants, and oil/dispersant conjugates on germination of marine macroalga Phyllospora comosa (Fucales: Phaeophyta). Mar Pollut Bull 31:446–452
Clark JR, Bragin GE, Febbo EJ, Letinski DJ (2001) Toxicity of physically and chemically dispersed oils under continuous and environmentally realistic exposure conditions: applicability to dispersant use decisions in spill response planning. In: Proceedings, 2001 international oil spill conference. American Petroleum Institute, Washington, pp 1249–1255
Fabregas J, Herrero C, Veiga M (1984) Effect of oil and dispersant on growth and chlorophyll a content of the marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica. Appl Environ Microbiol 47:445–447
Geffard O, Budzinski H, LeMenach K (2004) Chemical and ecotoxicological characterization of the “Erika” petroleum: bio-tests applied to petroleum water-accommodated fractions and natural contaminated samples. Aquat Living Resour 17:289–296
George-Ares A, Clark JR (2000) Aquatic toxicity of two Corexit dispersants. Chemosphere 40:897–906
Goutx MMH, Leveau MJC, Bertrand JC (1985) Effects of hydrocarbon biodegradation products on the growth and physiology of two marine microalgae. Mar Environ Res 17:289–290
Harrison PJ, Cochlan WP, Acreman JC, Parsons TR, Thompson PA, Dovey HM, Xiaolin C (1986) The effects of crude oil and Corexit 9527 on marine phytoplankton in an experimental enclosure. Mar Environ Res 18:93–109
Kostka JE, Prakash O, Overholt WA, Green SJ, Freyer G et al (2011) Bacterial community response in Gulf of Mexico beach sands impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Appl Environ Microbiol 77:7962–7974
Kujawinski EB, Kido Soule MC, Valentine DL, Boysen AK, Longnecker K, Redmond MC (2011) Fate of dispersants associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Environ Sci Technol 45:1298–1306
Lee RF (2003) Photo-oxidation and photo-toxicity of crude and refined oils. Spill Sci Technol Bull 8:157–162
Lee RF (1975) Fate of PAHs in marine zooplankton.In: Proceedings of 1975 conference on prevention and control of oil pollution. American Petroleum Institute, Washington, pp. 549–553
Levy JL, Stauber JL, Jolley DF (2007) Sensitivity of marine microalgae to copper: the effect of biotic factors on copper adsorption and toxicity. Sci Total Environ 387:141–154
Linden O, Rosemarin A, Lindskog A, Hoglund C, Johansson S (1987) Effects of oil and oil dispersant on an enclosed marine ecosystem. Environ Sci Technol 21:374–382
Pérez P, Fernández E, Bieras R (2010) Fuel toxicity on Isochrysis galbana and a coastal phytoplankton assemblage: growth rate vs. variable fluorescence. Ecotoxicol Environ Safety 73:254–261
Singer MM, Aurand D, Coelho G, Bragin GE, Clark JR, Jacobson S, Sowby ML, Tjeerdema RS (2001) Making, measuring, and using water-accommodated fractions of petroleum for toxicity testing. In: Proceedings of the 2001 international oil spill conference, Tampa, Florida. American Petroleum Institute, Washington. Pp. 1269–1274
Wolfe MF, Schwartz GLB, Singaram S, Mielbrecht EE, Tjeerdema RS, Sowby ML (1998) Effects of salinity and temperature on the bioavailability of dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons to the golden-brown algae, Isochrysis galbana. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 35:268–273
Wolfe MF, Schwartz GLB, Singaram S, Mielbrecht EE, Tjeerdema RS, Sowby ML (2001) Influence of dispersants on the bioavailability and trophic transfer of petroleum hydrocarbons to larval topsmelt (Atherinops affinis). Aquat Toxicol 52:49–60
Acknowledgments
This research was made possible by a grant from BP/The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative through the Florida Institute of Oceanography. The authors would like to thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, BP, and Nalco for providing the tar mat oil, crude oil, and Corexit used in our studies. This is contribution #1933 of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Garr, A.L., Laramore, S. & Krebs, W. Toxic Effects of Oil and Dispersant on Marine Microalgae. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 93, 654–659 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1395-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1395-2