Biological impact assessment of oil spill - A case study of the Hebei Spirit oil spill

Abstract

The overall aim of this study was to assess exposure of resident fish to the spilled crude oil, and to determine the extent and duration of its biochemical impacts immediately after the spill in December 2007. To clarify the toxic effects on resident fish, the temporal and spatial variation of the impacts from the Hebei Sprit Oil Spill (HSOS) using specific biochemical indices were investigated in resident fish. We also evaluated ranges and interspecific differences in toxicity on fish embryos exposed to fresh and weathered Iranian Heavy Crude Oil (IHCO) under environmentally relevant laboratory conditions. Overall, the oiled-site fish showed hepatic biotransformation activity induction which trend closely followed those of biliary PAH metabolite concentrations, implying continuous exposure to PAHs. Although bioconcentration ratios were similar with fish species for some PAHs but the species-specific differences in toxicokinetics was an important factor underlying species’ toxic sensitivity to crude oil.n resident fish, the temporal and spatial variation of the impacts from the Hebei Sprit Oil Spill (HSOS) using specific biochemical indices were investigated in resident fish. We also evaluated ranges and interspecific differences in toxicity on fish embryos exposed to fresh and weathered Iranian Heavy Crude Oil (IHCO) under environmentally relevant laboratory conditions. Overall, the oiled-site fish showed hepatic biotransformation activity induction which trend closely followed those of biliary PAH metabolite concentrations, implying continuous exposure to PAHs. Although bioconcentration ratios were similar with fish species for some PAHs but the species-specific differences in toxicokinetics was an important factor underlying species’ toxic sensitivity to crude oil.