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<br />Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxico!. 16,239-246 (1987)
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<br />EArchiVes of
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<br />Contamination
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<br />oxicology
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<br />~ 1987 Springer-Verlag New York Ine,
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<br />
<br />Toxicity of Five Shale Oils to Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates
<br />
<br />Daniel F. Woodward I , Edward E. Little, and Lawrence M. Smith
<br />
<br />National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Route I, Columbia, Missouri 65201
<br />
<br />Abstract, The chemical composition and toxicity of
<br />three shale crude oils (Tosco, Paraho, and Geoki-
<br />nctics), a hydrotreatedoil (Paraho HDT), and a re-
<br />fined shale oil (Paraho IP-4) were assessed to de-
<br />termine the potential hazards to native fish species
<br />and food chain organisms posed by accidental spills
<br />of such materials. Colorado squawfish (Ptycho-
<br />rheilus lucius), fathead minnow (Pimephales pro-
<br />melas), cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki), and colonies
<br />of aquatic invertebrates were exposed to the water-
<br />s.oluble fractions of the shale oils for 96 hr to deter-
<br />mine concentrations lethal to 50% of the exposed
<br />organisms (LC-50). The behavior of surviving fish
<br />""'3S also measured to determine the sublethal influ-
<br />ences of exposure. The composition of the five
<br />""'3ter-soluble fractions was similar to that of the
<br />crude and refined shale oils from which they were
<br />made. Hydrotreated and refined oils contained
<br />fewer aromatic compounds than the crude shale
<br />oils. The cutthroat trout, a species endemic to oil
<br />shale regions, was less tolerant of shale oil expo-
<br />lUre than the other species tested; the LC-50 con-
<br /><<ntrations were 1.8 mg/L Geokinetics, 2.1 mg/L
<br />Tosco, and 1.3 mg/L Paraho. Exposure to concen-
<br />trations of one-half to one-eighth those causing
<br />mortality reduced the swimming capacity of
<br />'Quawfish and significantly impaired their ability to
<br />Qpture prey. The number of invertebrate taxa,
<br />'PCcies, and organisms colonizing plate samplers
<br />lkclined with increasing oil concentration. The
<br />tenera Baetis and Isoperla were most sensitive to
<br />\hale oil exposure; significant mortality occurred at
<br />the lowest concentration (0,5-0.7 mg/L) tested for
<br />each shale oil.
<br />
<br />'National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Field Re-
<br />
<br />'Drch Station-Jackson, P.O. Box ]089, Jackson, Wyoming
<br />'-I
<br />
<br />1
<br />1
<br />
<br />
<br />The demand to develop domestic energy resources
<br />in the United States fluctuates with the world
<br />market prices for crude oil. Synthetic crude oil pro-
<br />duced from oil shale has been a viable substitute for
<br />conventional petroleum since the 1940s. The most
<br />concentrated area of oil shale deposits are in the
<br />Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, and
<br />Wyoming, and major production is most likely to
<br />occur in this area (USEPA 1981). In an area of
<br />44,000 km2, about 600 billion barrels (95 billion
<br />cubic meters) of oil are recoverable by currently
<br />known technology, This amount is equivalent to
<br />more than 90% of the world's estimated proven
<br />conventional reserves (Rio Blanco Oil Shale Com-
<br />pany, unpublished report). Development of this
<br />magnitude in a small geographical area will result in
<br />several serious challenges to the environment.
<br />The oil produced will be transported by nu-
<br />merous mechanisms and spills and accidental dis-
<br />charges may result, as they now do, in the trans-
<br />portation of petroleum products. However, the
<br />composition of shale oil differs from that of petro-
<br />leum oil. and only limited information is available
<br />on acute and subacute toxicity to aquatic or-
<br />ganisms. Organic composition of the water-soluble
<br />fraction (WSF) has not been completely character-
<br />ized, but recent studies have indicated that shale
<br />oils have much higher concentrations of olefins, ar-
<br />omatic substances, and nitrogen heterocyclics than
<br />do petroleum crudes (Ghassemi and Panahloo
<br />1984). Studies with freshwater algae have indicated
<br />that the WSF of oil shale is intermediate in toxicity
<br />between oil and liquid coal (Giddings and Wash-
<br />ington 1981). A broader data base on chemical
<br />composition and ecological effects of shale oil
<br />products is necessary to adequately protect the en-
<br />vironment.
<br />Streams draining the development area are tribu-
<br />taries of the upper Colorado River system and sup-
<br />
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