A Novel Approach for Predicting Sublethal Effects of Toxicants to Aquatic Organisms

Abstract

This study compared the effects of water soluble fraction (WSF) of petroleum derived (P) JP-4, a common military and civilian jet fuel, and shale derived (SD) JP-4 on survival, growth, ventilatory rate, preference-avoidance behavior, and tissue of the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) to determine possible interrelationships and to determine which procedures might be possible interrelationships and to determine which procedures might be most descriptive of sublethal stress. Comparative studies were also run using invertbrates and microbial communities. In acute tests, fish were generally more sensitive to jet fuel WSFs than invertebrates. This is consistent with previous observations on the relative toxicity of the major components, benzene and toluene. No major discrepancies occurred in the chronic sensitivities of fish and invertebrates. Fish ventilatory response appeared to be the quickest and most efficient of the sublethal tests used and provided a reasonable estimate of a chronic effect level. Microbial communities responded to low levels of jet fuel exposure, but toxicant related effects would probably be short-lived and of limited consequence in field exposures. Originator supplied keywords include: Toxicity, Lepomis macrochirus, Ventilatory rate, Preference/Avoidance, Microbial Community, Aeolosoma headleyi, Daphnia pulex, Paratanytarsus parthenogenica.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 30, 1984
Accession Number
ADA158932

Entities

People

  • Arhur L. Buikema Jr.
  • B. R. Niederlehner
  • John Cairns Jr.
  • Thomas R. Doane

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Databases
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environment
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Environmental Protection
  • Fish
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Petroleum Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology