Water Discharges at Sea: Collecting Realistic Laboratory Data on Fish Behaviour to Support Risk Assessment and Monitoring

Goulois, A.; Baussan, Th.; Camus, L.; Labes-Carrier, C.; Gaudebert, B.

doi:10.2523/46836-ms

“…Produced water discharges at sea is a matter of concern to environmental authorities because some compounds like the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to be toxic to biota. Consequently, research and development programs have been initiated by industry to improve our understanding and estimate the impact of discharges to marine biota [1,2]. One common approach to this problem is based on a proper assessment of the environmental hazard and risk.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic compounds: 2. Modeling bioaccumulation in marine organisms chronically exposed to dispersed oil

Baussant

¹

,

Sanni

²

,

Skadsheim

³

et al. 2001

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Within the frame of a large environmental study, we report on a research program that investigated the potential for bioaccumulation and subsequent effect responses in several marine organisms exposed to chronic levels of dispersed crude oil. Body burden can be estimated from kinetic parameters (rate constants for uptake and elimination), and appropriate body burden-effect relationships may improve assessments of environmental risks or the potential for such outcomes following chronic discharges at sea. We conducted a series of experiments in a flow-through system to describe the bioaccumulation kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) at low concentrations of dispersed crude oils. Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) were exposed for periods ranging from 8 to 21 d. Postexposure, the organisms were kept for a period of 9 to 10 d in running seawater to study elimination processes. Rate constants of uptake (k1) and elimination (k2) of the PAHs during and following exposure were calculated using a first-order kinetic model that assumed a decrease of the substances in the environment over time. The estimated bioconcentration factor was calculated from the ratio of k1/k2. The kinetic parameters of two-, three-, and four-ring PAHs in mussel and fish are compared with estimates based on hydrophobicity alone, expressed by the octanol-water partition coefficient, Kow (partitioning theory). A combination of reduced bioavailability of PAHs from oil droplets and degradation processes of PAHs in body tissues seems to explain discrepancies between kinetic rates based on Kow and actual kinetic rates measured in fish. Mussels showed a pattern more in compliance with the partitioning theory.

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“…The objective of this paper is to present a biological effect approach based on biomarkers. The use of biomarkers in biomonitoring of oil & gas activities in the North Sea has been demonstrated by studies conducted within the Elf IDREMER program 4,5 in Norway and by studies in UK supported by the Scottish Pollution Control Authorities. Results from these studies illustrate the usefulness of biomarkers as a tool in biomonitoring and environmental impact assessment.…”

Section: Spe 61202mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomarkers: A new Approach to assess Environmental Impact of Petroleum E&P Activities

Børseth¹,

Grøsvik²,

Camus³

et al. 2000

Proceedings of SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractDescription of benthic fauna have traditionally been the most dominating method in offshore environmental impact studies. However, this method has revealed clear limitations. Benthic fauna investigations are retrospective with regard to biological impacts. They are relatively expensive and do not provide information about the impact of discharges in the water column. Today, focus on the water column has increased and the Norwegian Pollution Control Authorities has decided to emphasise on possible biological effects. However, this has not yet been implemented and present monitoring is limited to measurements of chemical concentrations in water and tissue. These data are combined with model simulations of water concentration fields. The rationale behind the change in biomonitoring focus towards biological effects is that one do not necessarily include in monitoring programs those chemicals that cause effects. Therefore, it is considered a better strategy to monitor effects directly. Some biological effect parameters (by definition named general biomarkers) integrate responses to several classes of chemicals in the environment, other parameters respond more specifically to special compounds. For environmental screening purposes, it is important to select the type of biomarkers which is most relevant for the type of pollution expected and the species investigated. If effects are indicated with a screening biomarker, a more detailed environmental analysis will be required. Supplementary biomarker methods and chemical analyses can then decide the real size and cause of the impact in a stepwise and cost-effective manner.

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Biomarkers: A New Approach to Assess Environmental Impact of Petroleum E&P Activities

Børseth

¹

,

Grøsvik

²

,

Camus³

et al. 2000

SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractDescription of benthic fauna have traditionally been the most dominating method in offshore environmental impact studies. However, this method has revealed clear limitations. Benthic fauna investigations are retrospective with regard to biological impacts. They are relatively expensive and do not provide information about the impact of discharges in the water column. Today, focus on the water column has increased and the Norwegian Pollution Control Authorities has decided to emphasise on possible biological effects. However, this has not yet been implemented and present monitoring is limited to measurements of chemical concentrations in water and tissue. These data are combined with model simulations of water concentration fields. The rationale behind the change in biomonitoring focus towards biological effects is that one do not necessarily include in monitoring programs those chemicals that cause effects. Therefore, it is considered a better strategy to monitor effects directly. Some biological effect parameters (by definition named general biomarkers) integrate responses to several classes of chemicals in the environment, other parameters respond more specifically to special compounds. For environmental screening purposes, it is important to select the type of biomarkers which is most relevant for the type of pollution expected and the species investigated. If effects are indicated with a screening biomarker, a more detailed environmental analysis will be required. Supplementary biomarker methods and chemical analyses can then decide the real size and cause of the impact in a stepwise and cost-effective manner.

show abstract

Water Discharges at Sea: Collecting Realistic Laboratory Data on Fish Behaviour to Support Risk Assessment and Monitoring

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic compounds: 2. Modeling bioaccumulation in marine organisms chronically exposed to dispersed oil

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic compounds: 2. Modeling bioaccumulation in marine organisms chronically exposed to dispersed oil

Biomarkers: A new Approach to assess Environmental Impact of Petroleum E&P Activities

Biomarkers: A New Approach to Assess Environmental Impact of Petroleum E&P Activities

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