Water-soluble components of four fuel oils: Chemical characterization & effects on growth of microalgae.

Approximately 50% of the compounds in the water solubles from 4 fuel oils have been identified via gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The water solubles from 4 fuel oils showed considerably different inhibitory effects to growth of 6 microalgae: 2 blue-greens, 2 greens, and 2 diatoms. Two of the fuel-oil extracts, Baytown and Montana, were lethal to the blue-green algae. This was in part traceable to their content of p-toluidine. The water-soluble fraction from New Jersey fuel oil was lethal to the 2 green algae, with lesser effects on the 2 blue-greens. The 2 estuarine diatoms used as test organisms were not greatly inhibited by Baytown, Montana, or New Jersey fuel-oil water soluble extracts. Water solubles from the Baton Rouge fuel oils were almost without effect on the growth of all 6 microalgae. A very cautious viewpoint is advisable in generalizing on the toxicity or lack thereof of a given fuel oil on the growth of different kinds of microalgae.