Concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in bivalve <i>Mytilopsis sallei</i> and in the harbour waters of Visakhapatnam, east coast of India

Abstract

Environmental pollution due to oil and consequent petroleum hydrocarbon contamination (PHC) needs greater attention in view of its complicated interaction with biological communities. Visakhapatnam Harbour is subjected to such oil contamination and has led to the survival of a climax species. The bivalve Mytilopsis sallei has successfully colonized in spite of the PHC occurring in considerable proportion. With regard to hydrographical conditions, harbour waters reflect the conditions of the inshore waters depending on the extent of tidal action. In the entrance channel the crude oil content is 108 mu gl-1. While analyzing the tissue for uptake of PHC, 186 mu g-1 was found which is far higher than that in the medium.