Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Impact of January 2017 oil spill on the biota off Chennai, southeast coast of India with emphasis on histological impact on crab, Grapsus albolineatus

Volume 59 Issue 2

N. Selvakumar, K. Dhanasekar, P. Whaiprib and N. Munuswamy

10.6024/jmbai.2017.59.2.1989-08

Abstract

This study documents the cascade of events that occurred in the coast and biota of the Chennai region exposed to an accidental oil spill near the Ennore port after the collision of two cargo ships. The impact of the collision was so severe that the oil compartment was damaged, pilling approximately 22 tonnes of oil at initial hours. Due to waves, tidal action and southern current, the spillage travelled a long distance up to a stretch of around 52 km along the coastline in Bay of Bengal. Damage to the biota was monitored at different zones based on the intensity of the oil spill to evaluate the environmental impact caused by it. The shorelines of most of these areas had shown signs of oil sludge deposited in the sediments and boulders from the very next day of the collision. An intensive survey indicated that the sea turtles, crabs, fishes and seaweeds were washed ashore that posed a threat to the coastal habitat. Further, in-depth, histological studies on gills, hepatopancreas and eggs of the crab Grapsus albolineatus, showed structural deformities with irregular gill tips and lower haemocytes counts in the gill samples. Whereas hepatopancreas and eggs did not show any structural deformities, although they appeared black due to adhesion of oil, but no sign of oil in the internal region. This pilot study provides baseline information about the post oil spill scenario of the coastal region as alarming and a threat to ecologically sensitive marine organisms.

Keywords

Oil spill, flora, fauna, Grapsus albolineatus, Chennai, Bay of Bengal.

Date : 30-12-2017