Publication Abstract

Contamination of fish andshellfish following oil spill incidents

R.J. Law and J. Hellou

Accidents and spillages are an inevitableconsequence of the worldwide transport of crude oil and refined petroleumproducts by sea. The number of major spills occurring each year hasdecreased since the 1970s, but spillages and operational discharges fromtankers nonetheless constitute a significant input of oil to the marineenvironment. The rapid uptake of oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) by exposed fish and shellfish, resulting from large oil spillagesin coastal waters, poses a potential threat to human consumers of fish andshellfish and also affects the marketability of catches. In this article,the processes influencing uptake and retention of PAHs in fish andshellfish are outlined by drawing on the experience gained from previousincidents. This includes particular reference to three recent major oilspills from tankers in the United Kingdom and the United States, thoseinvolving the Exxon Valdez, Braer, and Sea Empress, and to the resultingcontamination of local stocks. A more uniform approach to oil spillmonitoring would aid comparisons between spills and would help interpretthe kinetics and dynamics of released hydrocarbons in future cases.Currently, no statutory limits or guideline values have been establishedfor PAHs in edible tissues of fish or shellfish, whether derived from oilor combustion sources.

Reference:

R.J. Law and J. Hellou. 2000.Contamination of fish and shellfish following oil spill incidents. Environmental Geosciences, 6: 90-98