Crude Oil Mediated Electrolytes Changes In Bay Scallops After Short Term Exposure

Abstract

Bay scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) of mean weight 20.79 ± 5.2 g that were handpicked from the Bonny River were bought from market women at the Kaa waterside and transported to the Chemistry Department of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and were acclimated to laboratory conditions for 24 hours. They were then exposed to graded concentrations of crude oil (2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 ml/L) and a control. The scallops were drawn out of the toxicant (crude) media at intervals of 3, 6, and 24 hours to determine the levels of electrolytes such sodium (Na⁺), potassim (K⁺⁾ and chloride (Cl^-) in the muscle and digestive tissues of the scallops. Results obtained showed significant difference (P>0.05) in the levels of sodium in the control and the crude oil solution in the muscle and digestive tissues of the scallops. However, there was a general decline in the levels of sodium in the exposure concentrations except at 2.50 and 5.00 ml/L in 3 hours intervals in the muscle, while in the digestive tissues, increase was observed at 5.00ml/L in 3 hours and 10.00ml/L in 3 and 6 hours interval. Potassium levels were significantly lower in all the exposure concentrations in the various time intervals in both organs except at 10.00ml/L in the 6^th and 24^th hour. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the levels of chloride ion in the test solution at any time interval. The results obtained for this ion fluctuated with a difference of 1.00 mmol/L, between 23.50-24.50 mmol/L. The results indicated that crude oil caused negative consequences on the organ functions of the scallops. Therefore adequate measures should be put in place to check oil spill and remediation methods be applied immediately in the incidence of oil spill.

Keywords: Crude oil, Scallops, Electrolytes, Environment, Oil spill