Toxicity of dispersants and dispersed oil to marine organisms (Mysidopis bahia, Menidia beryllina)

The purpose of this study is to compare the toxicity of Chemically Enhanced Water Accommodated Fractions (CE-WAF) with Physically Enhanced Water Accommodated Fractions (PE-WAF) of weathered Arabian Light crude oil. The chemical dispersant used in this study is Corexit 9500. In this study the species that will be tested are Mysidopis bahia and Menidia beryllina using constant concentration and declining concentration exposures. Additionally CE-WAF and PE-WAF toxicity will be compared using a Microbics Microtox{dollar}{bsol}sp{lcub}{bsol}rm TM{rcub}{dollar} system. The results of this study will enable oil spill response groups to make decisions about the use oil dispersants to minimize the harmful effects of an oil spill to the environment. This research is done in coordination with the Chemical Response to Oil Spills: Ecological Effects Research Forum (CROSERF).