| Summary: | The overall objective of this project was to better understand the effects of chronic, low-level oil pollution on nearshore Alaskan marine organisms. The bivalve mollusc Macoma balthica accumulated hydrocarbons during 180 days of continuous exposure to Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing seawater dispersions with nominal concentrations of 0.03 mg/l, 0.3 mg/l and 3.0 mg/l. An oil in seawater concentration of 3.0 mg/l caused severe dysfunction in the clams including a decreased burial rate, increased respiration rate, and inhibition of growth leading to high mortalities.
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