Influence of a crude oil dispersant, Corexit 9527, and dispersed oil on capelin (Mallotus villosus), atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus), and cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus).

摘要

The histopathological changes in the gills and mortality induced by water-accumulated fractions (WAF) of crude oils and a mixture of the chemical dispersant Corexit 9527 and WAF on capelin (Mallotus villosus), Atlantic cod (G. morhua), longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) and cunner (T. adspersus) captured in Newfoundland, Canada, were studied. The dispersant, WAF and dispersed oil were administered into tanks containing the fish for 4 days. It was shown that the treatments induced erratic swimming behaviour, opercular haemorrhage and death in the fishes. Epithelial rupture, hyperplasia and lamellar telangiectasis were also observed in the gills. The pelagic species capelin and cod were more susceptible to the dispersant WAF and dispersed oil compared to the subtidal species cunner and sculpin. Overall, cunner were more resistant to these substances, followed by sculpin, cod and capelin. Further studies should focus on the chronic rather than short term exposure to dispersants and crude oil to assess their impact on pelagic and subtidal fish species..