Bioassay using the water soluble fraction of a Nigerian Light Crude oil on Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

Summary

A 96-hour bioassay was conducted using the water soluble fraction of a Nigerian light crude oil sample on Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mls of water soluble fractions (WSF) of the oil were added to 1000 litres of de-chlorinated tap water to form 0, 25, 50 , 75 and 100 parts per million representing treatments 1 to 5 respectively. Each treatment had two replicates with fifteen fish per replicate. At the end of the 96-hour period of exposure, the fish were transferred into separate bowls containing fresh water without oil for recovery for ten more days. Heavy metal and total hydrocarbon contents of the water and fish were analyzed at 96 hour and 14 days which marked the end of the recovery period. No mortalities were recorded on all treatments during the 96-hour period. Mortalities were observed between 120 and 144 hours after the onset of the experiment with the maximum number of dead fish (p