Improving the design and conduct of aquatic toxicity studies with oils based on 20 years of CROSERF experience

• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106579
• Publication Date: 2023-05-19T06:36:13Z
• Authors: WA Stubblefield; M Barron; G Bragin; ME DeLorenzo; B de Jourdan; B Echols; DP French-McCay; P Jackman; JR Loughery; TF Parkerton; DA Renegar; JL Rodriguez-Gil
• Keywords: Aquatic toxicology

Laboratory toxicity testing is a key tool used in oil spill science, effects assessment, and mitigation strategy decisions to minimize environmental impacts. A major consideration how replicate real-world conditions, types, weathering states, receptor organisms, modifying factors under laboratory conditions. Oils petroleum-derived products are comprised of thousands compounds with different physicochemical toxicological properties, this leads challenges conducting interpreting studies. Experimental methods mix oils aqueous test media have been shown influence the aqueous-phase hydrocarbon composition concentrations, phase distribution (i.e., dissolved versus droplets), stability oil:water solutions which, turn, bioavailability containing media. Studies that differences experimental can lead divergent results. Therefore, it imperative standardize prepare order improve realism comparability tests. The CROSERF methodology, originally published 2005, was developed as standardized method for evaluating dispersants dispersed oil. However, found equally applicable use oil-derived petroleum substances. goals current effort were to: (1) build upon two decades experience update existing guidance aquatic tests (2) design studies hazard evaluation development quantitative models then be applied assessment. Key considerations discussed include species selection (standard vs field collected), substance (single compound whole oil), exposure regime (static flow-through) duration, metrics, endpoints, quality assurance control.