title: Distillation fraction-specific ecotoxicological evaluation of a paraffin-rich crude oil.
abstract: Crude oil is a complex mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) with distinct chemical, physical and toxicological properties relevant for contaminated site risk assessment. Ecotoxicological effects of crude oil distillation fractions on luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), earthworms (Dendrobaena hortensis) and invertebrates (Heterocypris incongruens) were tested using two spiked soils and their elutriates. Fraction 2 (F2) had an equivalent carbon number (ECN) range of >10 to 16, and F3 from >16 to 39. F2 showed a substantially higher ecotoxicological effect than F3 for Vibrio and Dendrobaena. In contrast, severe inhibition of Heterocypris by the poorly soluble F3 is attributed to mechanical organ blockage. Immediate sequestration of PHC to the organic matter-rich soil effected reduced toxicity for all organisms. This study indicates that a more differentiated consideration (i) of PHC mixtures based on ECN range and (ii) of model soil properties employed for ecotoxicity testing should be included into PHC-contaminated site risk assessment.
authors.affiliation: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department IFA-Tulln, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, Konrad-Lorenz-Str. 20, 3430 Tulln, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erlacher
authors.forename: Andreas P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Loibner
authors.forename: Romana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kendler
authors.forename: Kerstin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Scherr
mesh_terms: D048908:Aliivibrio fischeri; D000818:Animals; D003445:Crustacea; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D007448:Invertebrates; D009835:Oligochaeta; D010232:Paraffin / Q000633:toxicity*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D010232:Paraffin