The disposition of aromatic hydrocarbons in adult spot shrimp (Pandalus platyceros) and the formation of metabolites of naphthalene in adult and larval spot shrimp

Abstract

1. Adult spot shrimp (Pandalus platyceros) exposed to 110 p.p.b. (μg/l) of the water-soluble fraction of Prudhoe Bay crude oil for one week accumulated a variety of lowmolecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons (primarily C₁-C₅ substituted derivatives) in thoracic and abdominal tissues.

2. Adult and larval spot shrimp were exposed to ³H- and ¹⁴C- labelled naphthalene (a component of the water-soluble fraction) in seawater to delineate the types of metabolites formed. Both adults and larvae converted naphthalene to conjugated and non-conjugated structures such as the glucuronide, sulphate, dihydrodiol and phenolic derivatives. The presence of a quinone was also indicated.