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Individual and combined toxicity of some petroleum aromatics to the marine amphipod Elasmopus pectenicrus

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Abstract

Toxicity of 4 components of petroleum oils to the marine amphipod Elasmopus pectenicrus (Bate) has been assessed. Two ephemeral aromatic hydrocarbons, naphthalene (A) and 1, 2, 4-trimethylbenzene (B) were more toxic than two persistent aromatics, o-cresol (C) and o-toluidine (D). The acute toxicity concentrations obtained for individual aromatic compounds were always greater than the actual concentrations found in the water-soluble fractions (WSF) of fuel oils. Results from mixtures of 2 or more components indicated that the LC50 levels were primarily determined by the more toxic substances, A and B. Naphthalene and 1, 2, 4-trimethylbenzene became more toxic to the E. pectenicrus when present in a mixture of more than 2 components, and the toxicity increased with increasing numbers of components present. Synergistic effects, therefore, possibly occur in the whole WSF. No antagonistic effects were observed among the 4 petroleum aromatics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas Marine Laboratory, The University of Texas, Port Aransas, Texas, USA

    M. Y. Lee & J. A. C. Nicol

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  1. M. Y. Lee
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  2. J. A. C. Nicol
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Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark

University of Texas, Marine Science Institute Contribution No. 290

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Lee, M.Y., Nicol, J.A.C. Individual and combined toxicity of some petroleum aromatics to the marine amphipod Elasmopus pectenicrus . Mar. Biol. 48, 215–222 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397147

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