Effects of freshwater petroleum contamination on amphibian hatching and metamorphosis

Abstract

Abstract This study examined the effects of freshwater petroleum contamination on amphibian reproduction The primary objectives were to assess the potential environmental and physiological impacts of runoff petroleum products on amphibians, using the green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) as a target species and engine crankcase oil as a contaminant Egg hatching success, tadpole growth, and successful metamorphosis were measured in four concentrations of oil The effects of oil on food source was also studied Hatching success was not measurably influenced by the presence of oil Tadpole and alga growth were negatively associated with the presence of oil No tadpoles from the high concentration of oil treatments successfully metamorphosed