ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the use of freshwater and marine toxicity tests for evaluating the ecological safety of oil spill treating agents. It reviews what has been accomplished in evaluating the toxicity of oil spill treating agents using small-scale testing procedures. Data and information were compiled and reviewed on the toxicity of oil spill treating agents to aquatic organisms. Oil spill treating agents include solidifiers, herders, emulsion treating agents, dispersants, shoreline cleaners, and bioremediation products. Oil is a natural substance that freshwater, marine, and terrestrial systems have dealt with for eons. When exposure is low to moderate, such as near natural oil seeps, marine and freshwater ecosystems are capable of degrading, consuming, and metabolizing oil. Oils, fuels, and oil spill treating agents are complex, often incomparable materials that continue to pose great challenges to marine and aquatic toxicologists. During a spill response, all these materials can occur together in several phases or states, and the dominant phases can shift with time.
