Retrospective analysis: bile hydrocarbons and histopathology of demersal rockfish in Prince William Sound, Alaska, after the Exxon Valdez oil spill

• Published in: Marine environmental research 2003-12, Vol.56 (5), p.569-584
• Main Authors: Marty, Gary D., Hoffmann, Andy, Okihiro, Mark S., Hepler, Kelly, Hanes, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents; Age Factors; Alaska; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Bile - chemistry; Bile hydrocarbons; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Exposure; Exxon Valdez; Fishes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Histopathology; Hydrocarbons - pharmacokinetics; Marine; Oil spills; Petroleum - analysis; Petroleum - toxicity; Prince William Sound; Retrospective Studies; Rockfish ( Sebastes spp.); Sebastes; Ships; Techniques
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/S0141-1136(03)00043-6

Demersal rockfish are the only fish species that have been found dead in significant numbers after major oil spills, but the link between oil exposure and effect has not been well established. After the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, several species of rockfish ( Sebastes spp.) from oiled and reference sites were analyzed for hydrocarbon metabolites in bile (1989–1991) and for microscopic lesions (1990 and 1991). Biliary hydrocarbons consistent with exposure to Exxon Valdez oil were elevated in 1989, but not in 1990 or 1991. Significant microscopic findings included pigmented macrophage aggregates and hepatic megalocytosis, fibrosis, and lipid accumulation. Site differences in microscopic findings were significant with respect to previous oil exposure in 1991 ( P=0.038), but not in 1990. However, differences in microscopic findings were highly significant with respect to age and species in both years ( P