The Influence of crude oil and oil dispersant in the detoxification process of adult Gulf Killifish.

Exposure of fish to exogenous chemicals can result in increased activity of phase I and II biotransformation proteins. Addition of dispersant to crude oil can result in increased bioavailability of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Treatment waters were generated at nominal salinities of 4, 12, and 18 g/L. Control water was left undisturbed. Dispersant water was mixed at 22 mL of Corexit-9500 to 80 L of treatment water. Oiled water was initially mixed at an approximate 1:4 oil:water ratio by volume and the dispersant was used at a 10:1 oil:dispersant ratio to generate oil/dispersant water. Treatment waters at the previously mentioned nominal salinities were weathered for 1, 4, and 16 weeks in treatment mesocosms. Gulf killifish livers were sampled 96 hours of exposure to treatment waters. Impacts of treatment water on adult Gulf killifish physiology were determined through measurements EROD and GST activity.