Toxicity Testing of Crude Oil and Related Compounds Using Early Life Stages of the Crimson-Spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis)

摘要

The toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons to marine aquatic organisms has been widely investigated; however, the effects on freshwater environments have largely been ignored. In the Aus- tralian freshwater environment, the potential impacts of petro- leum hydrocarbons are virtually unknown. The toxicity of crude oil and related compounds were measured in the sensitive early life stages of the crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fiuviatilis). Waterborne petroleum hydrocarbons crossed the chorion of embryonic rainbowfish, reducing survival and hatcha- bility. Acute exposures resulted in developmental abnormalities at and above 0.5 mg/L total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH).