Using bioaccumulation and growth in caged intertidal oysters to assess oil exposure and effects in Delaware Bay

A controlled experiment involving transplanting 130 oysters on an oiled intertidal beach in Delaware Bay was described. Oyster survival rate exceeded 96 per cent. The extent of exposure was characterized by measuring the accumulation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in oyster tissues on days 0, 1, 8, 15 and 28. The oysters were also weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment to estimate growth. A statistically significant correlation was found when comparing treatment and control group of oysters, as well as between Day 1 tissue PAH and end-of-test tissue weights. This result suggests that bivalve tissue burdens measured after only one day of exposure can be used to predict potentially adverse effects over a longer period of time. 16 refs., 3 tabs., 6 figs