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RECORD NUMBER: 4 OF 5

Main Title Sublethal Effects of Chronic Oil Exposure on the Intertidal Clam 'Macoma balthica'.
Author Stekoll, M. S. ; Clement, L. E. ; Shaw, D. G. ;
CORP Author Alaska Univ., Fairbanks. Inst. of Marine Science.;Corvallis Environmental Research Lab, OR.
Year Published 1982
Report Number EPA-R-803922; EPA-600/J-80-372;
Stock Number PB82-158163
Additional Subjects Clams ; Toxicology ; Exposure ; Shellfish ; Physiological effects ; Reprints ; Macoma balthica ; Water pollution effects(Animals) ; Oil pollution ; Toxic substances
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NTIS  PB82-158163 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 12p
Abstract
When exposed to Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing seawater for 180 days, the small intertidal clam Macoma balthica showed behavioral, physical, physiological and biochemical changes. At a high concentration of oil in seawater (3.0 mg per l) burrowing rate decreased, respiration rate increased, growth was inhibited, and very high mortalities resulted. The lowest concentration of oil in seawater (0.03 mg per l) inhibited growth and caused reabsorption of gametes. One group of adverse oil effects which was related to sluggishness and disorientation of the clams appeared after a week of exposure to oil; another group related to a negative energy balance was not observed until 60 days. The authors conclude that chronic exposure of M. balthica to oil-in-seawater concentrations even as low as 0.03 mg per l will, in time, lead to population decreases.