Toxicity of three oil spill remediation techniques to the Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata

Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, were exposed to the mater accommo dated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait crude oil, dispersed crude oil, burnt c rude oil, and 4-chlorophenol. The WAF of dispersed crude oil was the most t oxic treatment with 96-h LC50 values of 7.15% (7.94% upper and 6.42% lower 95% CI) and 7.45% (8.26% upper and 6.71% lower 95% CI). The WAF of crude oi l was less toxic, with 96-h LC50 values of 43.72% (49.21% upper and 38.87% lower 95% CI) and 45.87% (51.51% upper and 40.97% lower 95% CT). The WAF of burnt crude oil was the least toxic treatment with 96-h LC50 values of 49. 81% (63.33% upper and 39.44% lower 95% CI) and 47.28% (59.72% upper and 37. 62% lower 95% CI). Sublethal toxicity of the crude oil WAF and burnt crude oil WAF was observed at dilutions seven to eight times less than in the dis persed crude oil WAF. (C) 2000 Academic Press.