Toxicity of a Photooxidised Crude Oil on Two Marine Microalgae

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Abstract
The effects of Tunesian crude oil photooxidized by simulated UV irradiation were studied on the marine algae Cyclotella cryptica and Amphidinium carterae. The toxicity tests were performed at low oil levels (addition of 10 mg oil l-1) as well as at high oil levels (100 mg l-1). The algal growth was affected only at high oil levels, whereas photosynthesis showed stimulation at low levels and inhibition at high oil levels. Chlorophyll a measurements also showed an increase at low hydrocarbon concentrations. Hydrocarbon photooxidation apparently did cause physiological effects on the microalgae tested. The ecological significance of this phenomenon even at low (subtoxic) hydrocarbon concentrations is indicated.