Toxicity of Oil Slicks to Arctic Amphipods

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Authors: Busdosh, M., Atlas, R.M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1977
• Subjects: Amphipoda; Animal behaviour; Animal mortality; Animal respiration; Diesel fuels; Environmental impacts; Marine oil spills; Crude oil; Toxicity; Elson Lagoon; Alaska; Nuwuk Lake; Arctic
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/65740

A study was conducted to measure the toxicity of oil spills to Arctic amphipods. Exposure to oil resulted in death, especially if animals physically entered the slicks. Arctic diesel was more toxic than Prudhoe crude oil. Toxicity of Prudhoe crude oil was associated with the paraffinic and aromatic components. Exposure to the tarry asphaltic fraction of crude oil did not result in amphipod mortality.