Effects of stranded heavy fuel oil subacute exposure on the fitness-related traits of sea urchin

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the behavioural, morphological and physiological responses of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) after subacute exposure to stranded heavy fuel oil (HFO) at oil loadings of 600, 1200, 2400 and 4800 μg oil g−1 gravel for 21 days. No significant differences in the survival rate and body size of S. intermedius were found following subacute exposure to stranded HFO at various oil loadings. Differently, the food consumption, covering behaviour, righting response and gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed obvious adverse effects at higher oil loadings, manifested as a low level of food consumption, reduced covering ability, slower righting speed and decreased GSI compared with the control. This study indicated that subacute exposure to the stranded HFO could cause an adverse effect on the fitness-related traits of sea urchins and provide new insights into the impact of oil spill pollution on benthic organisms.