Effects of Chemically Dispersed Oil on DNA Damage of Sea Urchin

Abstract

In this study, the effects and mechanisms of dispersed oil on Sea Urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) were investigated. Comparing DNA damage of the Sea urchins and components of petroleum in the water column between the different treatments, the results indicated that the dispersed oil toxicity to Sea urchins significantly increased. The reasons may include that dispersant engendered fine oil droplets increasing the probability of contact between organisms and oil, and that dispersant had solubilizing effects on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water column. It concluded that the increase of bioavailability of petroleum hydrocarbons, particularly PAHs, leaded to an increase in dispersed oil toxicity.