Simulated distribution and ecotoxicity-based assessment of chemically-dispersed oil in Tokyo Bay.
To assess risks of chemically-dispersed oil to marine organisms, oil concentrations in the water were simulated using a hypothetical spill accident in Tokyo Bay. Simulated oil concentrations were then compared with the short-term no-observed effect concentration (NOEC), 0.01 mg/L, obtained through toxicity tests using marine diatoms, amphipod and fish. Area of oil concentrations higher than the NOEC were compared with respect to use and non-use of dispersant. Results of the simulation show relatively faster dispersion near the mouth of the bay compared to its inner sections which is basically related to its stronger water currents. Interestingly, in the inner bay, a large area of chemically-dispersed oil has concentrations higher than the NOEC. It seems emulsifying oil by dispersant increases oil concentrations, which could lead to higher toxicity to aquatic organisms. When stronger winds occur, however, the difference in toxic areas between use and non-use of dispersant is quite small.
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimoarata, Kagoshima, Japan. Electronic address: koyama@fish.kagoshima-u.ac.jp.
Jiro
J
Koyama
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimoarata, Kagoshima, Japan.
Chie
C
Imakado
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimoarata, Kagoshima, Japan.
Seiichi
S
Uno
National Maritime Research Institute, 6-38-1, Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
Takako
T
Kuroda
National Maritime Research Institute, 6-38-1, Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
Shouichi
S
Hara
National Maritime Research Institute, 6-38-1, Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
Takahiro
T
Majima
National Maritime Research Institute, 6-38-1, Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
Hideyuki
H
Shirota
Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo 5023, Philippines.
Nathaniel C
NC
Añasco
D033304:Amphipoda / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017377:Diatoms / Q000187:drug effects; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014041:Tokyo; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D014919:Wind
D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Dispersed oil; Ecotoxicity-based; Marine organisms; Simulation