Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287397909529793· OSTI ID:5606500

Hoffman, D J

Egg surface applications of microliter quantities of crude and refined oils of high aromatic content are embryotoxic to mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and other avian species; applications of aliphatic hydrocarbons have virtually no effect. Mallard eggs at 72 h of development were exposed to a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons or to aromatic compounds representative of those present in crude oil to assess their toxicity. The class composition of the mixture was similar to that of South Louisiana crude oil, an American Petroleum Institute reference oil. Application of 20 ..mu..l of the mixture reduced embryonic survival by nearly 70%. The temporal pattern of embryonic death was similar to that after exposure to South Louisiana crude oil. Embryonic growth was stunted, as reflected by weight, crown-rump length, and bill length, and there was a significant increase in the incidence of abnormal survivors. When individual classes of aromatic hydrocarbons were tested, tetracyclics caused some embryonic death at the concentrations in the mixture. When classes were tested in all possible combinations of two, no combination appeared to be as toxic as the entire mixture. Addition of tetracyclic compound chrysene to the aromatic mixture considerably enhanced embryotoxicity, but could not completely account for the toxicity of the crude oil. The presence of additional unidentified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as methylated derivatives of polycyclic aromatic compounds such as chrysene may further account for the embryotoxicity of the crude oil.

• Research Organization: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD
• OSTI ID: 5606500
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 5:5; ISSN JTEHD
• 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
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
CHRYSENE
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DUCKS
EGGS
EMBRYOS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FOWL
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
LOUISIANA
MORTALITY
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SPILLS
ONTOGENESIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SOUTHWEST REGION
TERATOGENESIS
TOXICITY
USA
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION