Effects of Prudhoe Bay crude oil in sediment on Abarenicola pacifica in laboratory and field experiments

• Main Author: Augenfeld, J.M.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: 63 RADIATION; THERMAL; AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; ANNELIDS; AMINO ACIDS; BEHAVIOR; HYDROCARBONS; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; QUANTITY RATIO; SEAWATER; SEDIMENTS; ANIMALS; CARBOXYLIC ACIDS; DATA; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; INFORMATION; INVERTEBRATES; NUMERICAL DATA; ORGANIC ACIDS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; WATER; Prudhoe Bay
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5128458; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5128458; https://doi.org/10.2172/5128458

Behavioral responses of organisms are often sensitive indicators of changes in the environment over short time frames. The rate of burrowing of Abarenicola pacifica, a lugworm typical of muddy tidal flats, was studied to determine its response to the presence of hydrocarbons in the environment. If a reduction in burrowing rates is reflected in reduced food intake, a decline in nutritional status might be expected. The level of free amino acids in the tissues was examined as a possible indicator of nutritional status. (ACR)