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Species´ sensitivities to acute oil exposure - are arctic and temperate dwelling organisms similar or different? - Annual report 2009
In this project we are studying arctic species sensitivities to oil-related compounds. The goal is to obtain LC50 values for arctic species for calculation of a species sensitivity distribution curve (SSD). SSD curves are used in risk assessment procedures to predict risk associated with petroleum activities. LC50 test (chemical concentration that kills 50% of test animals) has been performed on numerous temperate species. However, very little information exists for Arctic species. As the oil industry is moving towards the Arctic, data on arctic species are needed. We are performing LC50 test on a variety of arctic species to obtain a SSD curve that can be used in risk assessment procedures for the Arctic. The Arctic SSD curve will be compared with data on temperate species. If arctic species are more sensitive, the risk assessment procedures should be based on toxicity data from arctic species. If arctic and temperate species respond similar, data on temperate species can also be used.
The test chemical 2-metyl naphthalene was chosen for all experiemnts as it was possible to reach 100 % mortality after 96 hours (requirements of LC50 standard tests). This was not possible using the originally planned chemical, anthracene. The SSD curve will therfore be basen on 2-methyl naphtalene. To achieve an ecosystem based approach, we have selected species from different functional groups and habitats (fish, barnacles, amphipods, sea urchins, scallops, limpets, sea spiders, snails, and shrimps). LC50 time-relationships have been calculated using the model DebTox for 10 arctic species (Margarites helicina, Boreogadus saida, Gammarus sp., Littorina littorea, Acemaea tessulata, Strongylocentrtus droebachiensis, Pandalus borealis, Sclerocragnonsp Anonyx nugax, Nymphon gracile). These animals are important components of arctic marine ecosystems. The LC50 concentrations ranged from 0,68 mg/L in the limpets (most sensitive) to 5,42 mg/L in sea spiders (least sensitive). (Nominal concentrations, real concentrations are being analyzed). The LC50s from these species have been used to calculate the arctic SSD curve. The Arctic SSD curve should be compared with a temperate SSD curve. However, in contrast to anthracene, there are not enough literature data available to construct a solid SSD curve for temperate species on 2-methyl naphthalene. We will therefore perform complimentary experiments on temperate species as well (winter 2010) (not originally planned ).
Publications:
Olsen, G. H., Camus, L., Smit, M., Jæger, I., Carroll J. (2009). Arctic species sensitivity distribution to oil-related compounds. 15th International symposium on pollutant responses in marine organisms; 129-130.
Gro Harlaug Olsen, Iris Jæger, Lionel Camus, Jani Honkanen, JoLynn Carroll (2008).
Marine Hazard Assessment of Petroleum Activities in Arctic Environments. Touch Briefings, 2-4.
Olsen et al. in prep: Arctic species sensitivities to oil-related compounds.
Olsen et al. in prep: Arctic Ecotoxicological Studies: A Review
Program for the VISTA Day 2009
VISTA Scholars' Day 2010