The Ecotoxicology of Shale Oil Components to Marine Bacteria

Abstract

The toxicity of 32 shale oil components to a mixed marine bacterial culture and the mode of toxic joint action in mixtures of the components was assessed. The great bulk of shale oil (alkanes and alkenes) was of very low toxicity. The Pyridlnes were the most hazardous group of compounds tested. Based on differences in chemical structure It was not possible to predict the mode of joint action between compounds. The form of interaction in mixtures was both additive and synerglstlc. Thus the addition of the toxicity of Individual components of shale oil would greatly underestimate the oil's true toxicity.