Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Toxicity of methyl-tert-butyl ether ( MTBE ) to California marine life
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Brown, Jeffrey S. Greenstein, Darrin J. Jirik, Andrew W. |
| Copyright Year | 2001 |
| Abstract | The sublethal effects of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) on three southern California marine species was examined by conducting the purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) 3-d embryo development test, the giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) 2-d germination and growth test, and the 7-d mysid (Holmesimysis costata) growth test. In addition, the effects of MTBE on the survival of mysids and amphipods (Grandidierella japonica) were measured. These two species of crustaceans were found to be most sensitive, with a 50% rate of mortality at an MTBE concentration of approximately 150 mg/L. The threshold for toxic effects in the most sensitive species (amphipod) was 37 mg/L. The least sensitive species was the giant kelp, with a 50% reduction in growth at 2,236 mg/L. The highest concentration of MTBE measured in receiving water was less than 0.1% of the threshold effects level for the amphipod, the most sensitive California species tested. INTRODUCTION Methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is used as a gasoline additive to reduce exhaust emissions and improve air quality; however, mounting concerns have been expressed over its potential to adversely impact human health and contaminate the aquatic environment. Gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks and emissions from motorized watercraft have resulted in the contamination of groundwater and lakes with MTBE (Oswalt 1997, Reuter et al. 1998). MTBE also has been found in the marine environment (see Concentrations of MTBE in inputs and receiving waters of southern California in this annual report). Of the 21 largest National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) facilities discharging to southern California coastal waters, 48% detected MTBE in their effluents. MTBE was detected in 83% of samples taken at locations in Santa Monica Bay, Los Angeles Harbor, Mission Bay, and San Diego Bay. The highest levels of MTBE in receiving water were found in Mission Bay, with concentrations up to 34 μg/L. MTBE was also detected in Humboldt Bay and San Francisco Bay (Bay and Brown 2000). A likely source of MTBE discharge to marine waters is the operation of two-stroke boat engines. These engines are relatively inefficient, discharging up to 30% of their fuel unburned into the environment (ARB 1999). Previous studies have indicated that aquatic organisms are relatively insensitive to MTBE (Drottar et al. 1998, Mancini et al. 1999). However, few marine species are represented by the available data, and no information exists on the effects of MTBE on marine algae. In addition, none of the previous studies examined the effects of MTBE on the species found in California. This article examines the short-term toxicity of MTBE to four California marine organisms. The species tested represent diverse taxonomic groups with commercial and recreational importance from habitats having the potential to expose marine life to MTBE. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://ftp.sccwrp.org/pub/download/DOCUMENTS/AnnualReports/1999AnnualReport/12_ar12.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
