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Appendix VII to the Report of the US Commissioner of Fisheries for 1921. B.F. Doc. 910. DANGER TO FISHERIES FROM OIL AND TAR POLLUTION
OF WATERS. Recently the casting of oil on already sorely troubled waters has increased at such a rate, has been accused as the source of so many ills of fishermen and shell fishermen and even of ornithologists, and has become such an obvious nuisance, that a considerable realization of the extent of the contamination and a sense of the possible evil effects have been aroused. So great is the discharge of oils of various sorts that in this country it has been proposed to skim off the oil from some harbor waters and.make it available by proper treatment. In Switzerland a patent has been taken out for the recovery of oils from backwaters. It is very desirable, therefore, to present a brief review of the information available regarding the extent and nature of oil and oil-like pollutions with consideration of the possibilities of danger therefrom. SOURCES OF POLLUTION. Gas houses and oil refineries are located on all sorts of bodies of water larger than brooks. In smaller streams, and particularly in those inhabited by salmonids, discharges are doubtless frequently fatal to fish life and quite ruinous to the fish value of the water. In larger bodies the actual destruction of fish is apt to be small or incident to exceptional discharges, and the chief harm probably will come from the uninhabitability of the water, especially if this means the rendering unfit of a spawning ground or the forming of a barrier thereto as for salmon or shad. In streams large enough for steamers, and in all larger bodies of water, there are added to the contributions from gas houses and refineries those from tankers and other ships, and the danger to fishes from poisoning or coating of gills are correspondingly increased. These larger navigable bodies may be spawning grounds, and are almost sure to be gateways to what should be spawning grounds. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAGE 4 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. The danger here, therefore, of keeping fish away from the spawning grounds is far greater than the danger of destruction. It has been charged, but apparently not specifically established, that fish in harbors and the lower stretches of rivers have been killed by the dumping of oil from tankers. All of these vessels must clean out their tanks before they refill them and are prone to do so in harbor or as near there as may be. Well out at sea and in the larger bays the only source of considerable oil pollution seems to lie in the shipping, which, if it can not discharge in or near harbors, will do so at sea. Moreover, it seems clearly established that great oil films do form at sea. Huge patches have frequently been observed, and Collinge reports that sea birds have been found dead and dying by hundreds off the English coast, their feathers saturated with oil. Death of sea birds from the same cause is reported from our Pacific coast. Tar from freshly tarred roads may be washed bodily into gutters and thence into streams or other bodies of water. Apparently, however, the greatest danger of direct action from tarred roads is from the fact that under the various influences at work — presumably heat, the mechanical action of vehicles, and soluble action of oils — poisonous substances are yielded to road washings for a great length of time. Various people in England, as recorded especially in the (London) Fishing Gazette, have described instances or experiments which indicate the continued poisonous action of tarred roads. Richmond found that although an undisturbed tarred surface became innocuous in three weeks, washings from material chipped from a road which had not been tarred for approximately one year were fatal to fish. Tarred road washings appear to be noticeably destructive of fish and, largely through the destruction of food organisms, of fisheries, chiefly in streams not larger than small rivers and ponds, particularly trout waters. In well-developed country so fortunate as to possess salmon streams, tarred roads doubtless constitute a menace to the salmon fishery. Oil from motor cars, etc., goes into small as well as large bodies of water and is of greatest volume at large towns. EFFECTS OF OIL POLLUTION. This pollution may affect the fisheries in various ways: By actually killing or repelling the fish when they approach the shores in their migrations, at the only time when they can be caught; by sickening or killing bottom-dwelling species such as oysters; by killing floating eggs and the delicate larvae which, swimming at or near the surface, are suffocated by the deposit of an impervious film on the gill surface; by destroying the minute surface plants and animals on which these larvae and some of the adult fishes subsist; by diminishing the aeration of the water at the surface and thereby aggravating the deoxidizing effects of organic pollutions from municipal sewage and similar sources; by destroying spawning grounds; by killing the --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OIL AND TAR POLLUTION OF WATERS. PAGE 5 shallow water vegetation which directly or indirectly furnishes fish food and shelter; and by impairment of the market value of fish through imparting to them an offensive taste. DIRECT TOXIC EFFECTS These distillation products are very complex and varying substances in composition, but all may be assumed to contain some of the substances which, in very weak dilutions, have been shown to be highly poisonous to various fishes. Phenols and cresols (in dilutions of less then 100 parts per million) have been found quickly fatal by Butterfield and Shelford. Other constituents which are quickly fatal in the dilutions indicated are phenanthene and naphthalene (4 to 5 parts per million); xylene, toluene, benzene and ethylene (22 to 65 parts per million); sulphur compounds, as hydrogen sulphide (5 parts per million); sulphur dioxide(16 parts per million); carbon bisulphide (100 parts per million); thiophene (27 parts per million); ammonia (7 parts per million); and ammonium salts and other nitrogenized compounds (some hundred parts per million); quinoline and isoquinoline (50 to 65 parts per million). The strengths given as quickly fatal are those which have caused death in one hour, or very little more, to sunfish (American) or gudgeon (European) fish which seem more than ordinarily resistant to poisons. It is stated (Seydel) that Russian investigators find hexa-hydrobenzoic acid (C6 H11 CO CH), to be the essential poison of Russian petroleum, and that 4 to 16 parts per million were quickly fatal to a cyprinid and a percid. The experiments of Thomas and others imitate that prolonged exposure to very much greater dilutions of these substances are fatal. Dilutions of various tars and crude distillates of petroleum, which required 66 or more parts per million for quick fatality, have proved fatal in strengths of from 13 to 33 parts per million in from 1 to 3 days. A great variety at 13 parts per million proved fatal in one to 3 days. One liquid tar waste at 2 parts per million killed sunfish (Lepomis humilis) in one day. MECHANICAL EFFECTS A high-boiling petroleum distillate and a light fuel oil were found by Thomas to be quite harmless unless, as aeration retarders, or unless emulsified, as by continued moderate agitation, when they coated the gill membranes of the fish, and caused death by suffocation. Rushton found that by shaking up one part of benzine with 40,000 parts of water, a mixture was formed which killed fish in five minutes, apparently entirely from poisonous action. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES PAGE 6 Doubtless under the agitation of continued wave action many, if not all, oils and oily substances will emulsify or mix to a considerable extent and so coat the gills of fish or other forms, or have a poisonous effect which their insolubility would otherwise prevent. According to Weigelt, ulcerations and attacks of disease have been found to follow the irritating action of petroleum products. The eggs of sea fishes which do not seek fresh, brackish or shore waters in which to spawn differ from the eggs of all of these, and of fresh-water species in that they are typically floating. In many cases, at least, the larvae for a time are also floating. This fact renders the possibility of grave danger to the great sea fisheries a very striking one, for it can scarcely be thought that eggs can hatch and young normally develop in a medium of oil. The eggs and larvae of oysters and other shellfish are not surface floating, but are carried up and down by the current, sometimes to the surface. A special danger to them lies in the fact that both oil and larvae (and eggs) are prone to collect in eddies. PREVENTION OF AERATION OF THE WATER. If this is the case it must follow that an oil film, by preventing evaporation, greatly checks aeration. Danger from this seems chiefly to center in harbors where, because of general pollution, particularly sewage pollution, the oxygen consumption is greatest and where, because of gas plants and shipping and the great number of automobiles, the discharge of oil is also extreme. These are the same harbors which are the gateways to the great natural spawning areas of the anadromous fishes. In connection with the prevention of aeration, oxygen loss by the absorption of dissolved oygen, by fatty acids and other substances present in oils and tars, should be taken into consideration. DESTRUCTION OF FISH FOOD. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OIL AND TAR POLLUTION OF WATERS. PAGE 7 Destruction may, of course, be secondary, as from lack of oxygen, or from the destruction or spoiling of emergent or littoral vegetation with an oil coating, particularly in tidal areas (by which means wild fowls may also greatly suffer), and the consequent loss of a productive habitat. From gas houses, tarred roads, and refineries much of the contamination eventually finds its way to the bottom to render it more or less sterile according to thickness and completeness of the deposit and the constancy with which the deposit is maintained. Wadham indicates that he found apparently complete strata for each fresh tarring of road, and that it took two or more years for a trout brook to recover proper productivity of fish. In some waters the basic fish food consists in part of air-breathing larvae and pupae of insects, which, if a layer of oil is present, as, is well known, will be unable to come to the surface to breathe and so will be destroyed. Young of food fishes or the small fish on which food fishes feed will in consequence be deprived of an important source of food, and the productivity of the region will be correspondingly decreased. In 1920 through the Gulf States, Mr. Hildebrand found that Gambusia and Fundulus, which feed largely on such larvae and pupae, disappeared from oil-covered water. We took no special notes in regard to larger species, but believed they disappeared also, presumably because their food had disappeared. SUMMARY. In the sea a great danger is suggested by the fact that the eggs of sea fishes are typically floating, and that oil-burning and oil-engined shipping is greatly increasing. Remedial measures may (now or in the future) be found: (1) In the recovery of oils from drainage water, as already has been proposed; (2) in the prevention of gas-house and refinery pollution, which prevention should be helped by the increased use of "wastes" in by-products; and (3) in prevention, by international arrangements, of the dumping of oil from ships in harbors or in the region of spawning grounds or special feeding areas. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US BUREAU OF FISHERIES PAGE 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY ADENEY, W. E. ALLEN, E. J. BUTTERFIELD, W. J. A. COKER, R. E. COLLENGE, WALTER E. 1921. The effects of oil from ships on certain sea birds. Nature, Vol. 106, Feb. 24, 1921, p. 830. London, FISHING GAZETTE (THE). LONDON. 1910. Note by editor, R. B. Marston, containing letter from R. C. W. H. Butler telling of harmless leakage of a barrel of crude tar into trout ponds. The Fishing Gazette, Vol. LX,. June 4, 1910, p. 508. Note by editor quoting letter from Arthur J. Belcher (extracted from the Daily Mail of June 14) telling of the immediate destruction of hundreds of trout following the washing of tar from a freshly tarred road into trout brook. Ibid., Vol. LX, June 18, 1910, p. 559. Letter from A R. Peart, telling of experiments showing deadliness to fish life of water which his been in contact with fresh crude tar; also pointing out that road washings may be expected to reach stream while still shrunken by preceding drought. Ibid., Vol. LX,June.25, p. 607. Account by Field of destruction of fish and vegetation following tarring of roads, and of finding s high tar content in road washings. Ibid.. Vol. LXI Jul 23, 1910, p.99-100. Letter (anon.) telling of experiments showing deadliness to trout at various dilutions of water which had been in contact with coal tar, Ibid., Vol. LXI, July 30, 1910, p. 125-126. Note by editor containing letter from "Elfa" telling of development of fungoid growth following the washing of tar from road into stream. Ibid., Vol LXI, Aug. 6, 1910, p. 144. Note by editor quoting note from Percy Wadham on the road-tarring question. Ibid., Vol. LXI, Aug 20, 1910, P. 188. Investigation of an epidemic of fish poisoninf by tar at Drinkwater Park Manchester, by E. J Sidebotham and A. Sellers. (From Archives of the Public Health Laboratory of the University of Manchester, Vol. 1 1906). Ibid., Vol. LXI, Aug. 27., 1910, pp. 210-211. 1911. Note by editor quoting account from Dundee Courier Aug. 5, 1911 of the washing by thunderstorm of tar from freshly tarred road In. the River Fary, the killing of many scores of fine trout, and the ruining of the fishing below. • Ibid., Vol. LXIII Aug.12 1911, p.163 Letter from F. I. C., one technically informed telling of amounts of naphthaline and phenol bodies allowed in road tar and maintaining that treatment which renders tar innocuous spoils it for road work. Ibid., Vol. LXIII, Aug. 26, 1911, p. 233. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OIL AND TAR POLLUTION OF WATER PAGE 9 1912. Note by editor quoting letter from S. Jaffe' telling of destruction of fish and small and microscopic forms by leakage of 2,200 cubic yards of tar and by-products and of over 1,600 pounds paid in damages; and letter from Karl Heintz to the effect that it is illegal in Bavaria (or all Germany?) to construct drains from tarred roads into streams. Ibid., Vol. LXV, Dec. 21, 1912, p. 582. 1913. Note by editor quoting extract from Isle of Wight County Press telling of settling with F. T. Mew, of Carriabrooke, Isle of Wight, for 1325 for damage to fishery by tarred-road washings. Ibid., Vol. LXVI, Mar. 15, 1913, P. 06. Letter from Percy Wadham on the difficulty of determining the real danger from tar poisoning by laboratory experimentation. Ibid., Vol. LXVI, May 24, 1913, p. 480. 1914. Note by editor quoting letter from F. Napier Sutton on the effect of leakage from gas works on a fishery. Ibid., Vol. LXVIII, Jan. 3, 1914, p. 2. 1917. Note by editor quoting letter from Percy Wadham telling of lasting poisonousness of tar on roads and of formation of tarry strata on pond bottoms, etc. Ibid., VoL LXXIV, Feb..24, 1917, p. 100. 1921. Report of address by J. A. Simpson delivered at Nottingham January 12 before "An Alliance for Prevention of River Pollution," telling. of fining of Derbyshire County Council and of damages obtained by riparian owners for destruction of fishing by tarred-road washings. Ibid., Vol. LXXXII, Jan. 22, 1921, p. 45. Note by editor to the effect that the Joint Committee of Ministry of Agrtculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Transport have been unable to find a safe tar; refers to an account by Dr. Smith, U. S. Commissioner Fisheries, of experiments to find a safe tar without success. Ibid., Vol. LXXXII, Feb. 26, 1921, p. 117. FORBES, S. A. HILDEBRAND, SAMUEL F. 1921. Top minnows in relation to malaria control, with notes on their habits and distribution. Public Health Bulletin No. 114, U. S. Public Health Service, Treasury Department, p. 17. Washington. HOME, DAVID MILNE LENZING C. W. MODONALD, MARSHALL Effect of waste products from Page's ammoniacal works upon young shad fry. Ibid., p. 313-314. MARSH, MILLARD CALEB MOORE, GEORGE T., and KARL F. KELLERMAN MOSELY, MARTIN E. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES PAGE 10 RICHMOND, F. G. RUSHTON, W. SALMON AND TROUT MAGAZINE. LONDON. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. SEYDEL, E SHELFORD VICTOR E . SHIPLEY, A. E. THOMAS, ADRIAN. TOWNSEND CHARLES H. WARD, HENRY B. WEIGELT, C. WHIPPLE, GEORGE CHANDLER. WILSON, H. MACLEAN and H. T. CALVERT. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- END |