Effects of crude oil and field-generated burned oil residue on Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) larvae

Abstract

In situ burning (ISB) is an oil spill clean-up option used by oil spill responders to mitigate impacts on the marine environment. Despite advantages such as high efficiency and potential applicability for challenging areas such as the Arctic, the actual environmental side effects are still uncertain. Acute and sublethal effects of the water accommodated fractions (WAFs from 25 g oil/L seawater) of a pre-weathered North Sea crude (Oseberg Blend 200 °C+) and field generated ISB residue were evaluated on Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) larvae. The larvae were first exposed for 96 h to a serial dilution of seven concentrations, and then maintained for two weeks in clean seawater post-exposure. No acute (mortality) or sublethal effects (feeding, development, or growth) were detected in any of the ISB residue concentrations. Significant larvae mortality was found in the three highest concentrations of crude oil (96-h LC50:469 μg/L total petroleum hydrocarbon) but no sublethal effects were found in the surviving larvae post-exposure. This study indicates that applying ISB could mitigate acute impacts of spilled oil on shrimp larvae.

Keywords: Development; Feeding; Growth; In situ burning; Oil spill response; Survival; Zooplankton.