Effects of Low Concentrations of Oil Accommodated in Sea Water on the Growth of Unialgal Marine Phytoplankton Cultures

Abstract

Effects of three oils accommodated in sea water upon the growth of unialgal cultures of marine phytoplankton were investigated. The oil concentrations used covered the range normally encountered in sea water subjected to oil pollution (< 1 mg/liter). In most experiments, minor stimulation or inhibition of growth was apparent but in only two experiments was the growth of oil-contaminated cultures statistically different from controls (in both instances stimulation). Extrapolation of the results to the natural environment is complicated by several factors, the most important of which appear to be variability in organism response and the observation that oil concentration and composition change during experiments. Oil concentrations encountered in polluted sea water can affect the growth of phytoplankton, but the effects seem to be minor and short-lived.