Effects of prudhoe bay crude oil-contaminated sediments on Protothaca staminea (mollusca: Pelecypoda): Hydrocarbon content, condition index, free amino acid level

Protothaca staminea and Macoma inquinata were exposed to sediment contaminated with 1237 ppm Prudhoe Bay crude oil in the field. Eighty-five per cent of the Protothaca and 17% of the Macoma survived 54 days' exposure. Body burdens of saturated and di- and tri-aromatic hydrocarbons were less than 2 ppm and quite variable. The condition index of Protothaca was reduced by 6% by exposure to oil. The level of free glycine in the mantle, gills and adductor muscle did not change significantly, but the taurine level fell, leading to a decrease in the taurine:glycine ratio. It was concluded that Protothaca, a filter feeder, is affected less severely by oil pollution than Macoma, a detritivore, perhaps because the feeding activity of filter feeders is less inhibited.