Natural weathering of oil in marine sediments: tissue contamination and growth of the clam, Protothaca staminea
Three groups (80 per group) of small (<30 mm) clams, Protothaca staminea, were placed in the intertidal environment of Sequim Bay, Washington for one year to measure the effects of oiled sediment on growth and tissue contamination. Detailed glass capillary gas chromatographic analysis of initial and final sediment samples and tissues were used to describe the fate of specific oil components in the sediment, with depth, and the uptake by the clams. Concentrations of sediment receiving a top layer (3 cm) of highly contaminated sediment reached background levels after one year, while sediment mixed to depth (10 cm) with oil still contained measurable contamination at the 5 to 10 cm depth. The pattern of specific hydrocarbon loss is in agreement with results of spill studies, molecular weight relationships and biodegradation data. The ratios for tissue concentrations to final sediment concentrations for phenanthrenes, alkylnaphthalenes and dibenzothiophenes were all between 0.16 and 0.18. This would indicate that the sulfur-containing compounds were not preferentially retained in tissues. Statistical analyses of 31 to 48 individually measured and marked clams (per group) showed that growth in oil-treated sediment was significantly (0.001 level) slower than in clean sediment. In addition, oil mixed into sediment (10 cm) produced greater tissue contamination and more reduction in growth (0.01 level) than a layer (3 cm) of oiled sediment.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle-Northwest, Sequim, WA (USA). Marine Research Lab.; Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5732205
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-9627; CONF-8110135-1; ON: DE82005227
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on ocean pollution, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 19 Oct 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Growth and Histological Effects to Protothaca staminea (Littleneck Clam) of Long-Term Exposure to Chlorinated Sea Water
Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Southwest): Common littleneck clam. [Protothaca staminea]
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HYDROCARBONS
TOXICITY
MOLLUSCS
ANIMAL GROWTH
PETROLEUM
WEATHERING
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
INVERTEBRATES
OIL SPILLS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SEDIMENTS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
UPTAKE
WASHINGTON
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GROWTH
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
USA
560304* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Invertebrates- (-1987)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)