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Sublethal effects of chronic oil exposure on the intertidal clam Macoma balthica

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Abstract

When exposed to Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing seawater for 180 days, the small intertidal clam Macoma balthica showed behavioral, physical, physiological and biochemical changes. At a high concentration of oil in seawater (3.0 mg l-1) burrowing rate decreased, respiration rate increased, growth was inhibited, and very high mortalities resulted. The lowest concentration of oil in seawater (0.03 mg l-1) inhibited growth and caused reabsorption of gametes. One group of adverse oil effects which was related to sluggishness and disorientation of the clams appeared after a week of exposure to oil; another group related to a negative energy balance was not observed until 60 days. We conclude that chronic exposure of M. balthica to oil-in-seawater concentrations even as low as 0.03 mg l-1 will, in time, lead to population decreases.

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Author notes

  1. M. S. Stekoll

    Present address: Division of Fisheries and Natural Science, University of Alaska, P. O. Box 1447, 99802, Juneau, Alaska, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska, 99701, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

    M. S. Stekoll, L. E. Clement & D. G. Shaw

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  1. M. S. Stekoll
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  2. L. E. Clement
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  3. D. G. Shaw
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Communicated by N. D. Holland, La Jolla

Please address requests for reprints to Dr. D. G. Shaw at the Institute of Marine Science

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Stekoll, M.S., Clement, L.E. & Shaw, D.G. Sublethal effects of chronic oil exposure on the intertidal clam Macoma balthica . Mar. Biol. 57, 51–60 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00420967

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