The effect of the oil dispersant Omni-Clean on the toxicity of fuel oil no. 2 in two bioassays with the sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus

Chemosphere. 1999 Nov;39(12):2141-57. doi: 10.1016/s0045-6535(99)00135-6.

Abstract

Bioassays (7-day early life stage and 96 h acute bioassays) were conducted with the sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus, to determine the toxicity of the dispersant Omni-Clean by itself and in combination with fuel oil no. 2. Performance characteristics of both bioassay types were also compared. Bioassays used oil by itself, dispersant by itself, and oil and dispersant in various ratios. Omni-Clean was less toxic than many other dispersants, and had a relatively small effect on individual biomass. Toxicities of the oil/dispersant combinations were generally higher than expected from the toxicities of the oil and dispersant by themselves, indicating a more-than-additive effect on toxicity. The comparison of performance characteristics between the 7-day and the 96-hour bioassays showed that the early life stage test is generally more sensitive, and has the added advantage of an additional and sensitive endpoint (fish biomass).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay / methods
  • Biomass
  • Fuel Oils / toxicity*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Killifishes / growth & development
  • Killifishes / physiology*
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Surface-Active Agents / toxicity*
  • Time Factors
  • Toxicity Tests / methods
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Fuel Oils
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical