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Toxicities of oils, dispersants and dispersed oils to algae and aquatic plants: review and database value to resource sustainability
Citation:
Lewis, M. AND R. Pryor. Toxicities of oils, dispersants and dispersed oils to algae and aquatic plants: review and database value to resource sustainability. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 180:345-367, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
Summarize the current phytotoxicity database for oils, dispersed oils, and dispersants
Description:
Published toxicity results are reviewed for oils, dispersants and dispersed oils and aquatic plants. The historical phytotoxicity database consists largely of results from a patchwork of research conducted after oil spills to marine waters. Toxicity information is available for at least 39 crude oils and 56 dispersants. As many as 71 structural response parameters have been determined for 84 species of unicellular and multicellular algae, 27 wetland plants, 13 mangroves and 9 seagrasses. Effect concentrations have varied by as much as six orders of magnitude because of experimental differences. The experimental diversity restricts phytotoxicity predictions, identification of sensitive plant species and response parameters, construction of species sensitivity distributions and, on a larger scale, effective natural resource damage assessments and habitat restoration efforts. As a result, evidence-based risk assessments for most primary producers and petrochemicals are not supported by the current toxicity database. A proactive and experimentally-consistent approach is recommended to provide threshold toxic effect concentrations for sensitive life stages of freshwater and saltwater aquatic plants inhabiting diverse ecosystems.
