Long-term effects of low concentrations of an oil-spill remover (‘detergent’): studies with the larvae of Sabellaria spinulosa

Abstract

The ‘detergent’ BP 1002 at concentrations of 1 ppm was detected immediately by the larvae of Sabellaria spinulosa which were intensely irritated by it. In loosely covered vessels, allowing the solvent fraction to evaporate, larvae seemed at first to recover but died several weeks later, the control larvae remaining active and normal. The surfactant and stabilizer fractions at concentrations of 2·5 ppm killed the larvae within a day or two.