Accumulation of saturated hydrocarbons in tissues of petroleum-exposed mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es60137a002· OSTI ID:5165533

Lawler, G C; Loong, W A; Laseter, J L

Mallard drakes were dosed with 5 mL a day of South Louisiana crude oil for 14 days. Tissues from control and experimental ducks were then examined for petroleum hydrocarbons by combined high-resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Three characteristics of the saturated hydrocarbon fraction were used to assess the presence of crude oil: the n-alkane distribution pattern, the presence of homologous series of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons, and the n-C/sub 17//pristane ratio. Oil was found in every experimental tissue examined but the brain. The skin (and underlying adipose tissue) contained the highest level of saturated petroleum hydrocarbons. The other tissues were ranked relative to the skin as follows: skin > uropygial gland > breast muscle, heart muscle > liver > brain. The blood contained low levels of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons 3--4 h after the final dose of crude oil. That saturated petroleum hydrocarbons did not accumulate in the duck tissues in the same relative amounts observed in South Louisiana crude oil suggested selective uptake and/or metabolism.

• Research Organization: Univ. of New Orleans, LA
• OSTI ID: 5165533
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 12:1; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIRDS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DUCKS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FOWL
FUELS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GLANDS
HYDROCARBONS
LIVER
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MUSCLES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PETROLEUM
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SKIN
SPECTROSCOPY
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES