Mixed function oxygenases as biological monitors around petroleum hydrocarbon development sites: potential for induction by diesel and other drilling mud base oils containing reduced  levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

From the Abstract: “The use of oil-based drilling muds has been discouraged in hydrocarbon exploration and production in the marine environment but these muds are presently being used to a considerable degree in the United Kingdom and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea. Field studies in the North Sea have demonstrated only localized impacts around individual drilling sites, even including those sites where 'toxic' diesel oils were employed as base fluids in drilling muds. Yet the question of disposal of cuttings contaminated with oil from drilling muds remains somewhat controversial. The induction of mixed-function oxygenases ( MFO) has been validated on a number of occasions in the field as a sensitive index of low level hydrocarbon exposure, including sites in the North Sea where diesel-based muds were used. 4 The present stud), demonstrates that any potential or induction by hydrocarbon contaminated cuttings will probably be reduced by substitution of low-aromatic base oils for diesel in drilling mud formulations.”