Evaluation of The Toxic Properties of Naturally Weathered Exxon Valdez Crude oil To Surrogate Wildlife Species

摘要

The toxic properties of naturally weathered Exxon Valdez crude oil (WEVC) to avian and mammalian wildlife species were evaluated using the surrogate species, mallard duck, Anas platryhynchos, and European ferret, Mustela putorius. This study was ocnducted to evaluae the potential for toxic (rather than physical) injury to wildlife species that may have been exposed to WEVC, either through external contact or through dietary uptake. Pevious studies have assessed the toxicity of unweathered crude oils, includingAlaskan North Slope Curede, but little information exists regarding the toxicity of a naturally weathered crude oil, typical of that encountered following a spill.