| Popis: |
The arctic amphipod Boeckosimus (= Onisimus) affinis was exposed to the water soluble fraction (WSF) of Prudhoe Bay crude oil. Animals were constantly exposed or one-time exposed for 3 or 10 days and then removed to clean water. In constant exposure experiments mortality was correlated to the strength of the solution for 6 weeks; afterwards animals in all solutions experienced similar mortality. Food search success lessened for 2 weeks, then gradually increased. Distance moved and time spent moving decreased as the concentration of the WSF increased. Animals one-time exposed to the WSF showed initial mortality rates of 15–20%, with little further mortality. Food search success was lessened relative to the strength of the WSF and duration of exposure, with general recovery within two weeks. Distance moved was decreased, but time spent moving was not. The overall period of testing was four months. |
