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<p>Offshore drilling activities frequently release contaminants such as crude oil, chemical additives, and drilling muds into the marine environment, posing risks to water quality and marine life (life below water). This study investigated the ecotoxicological impact of crude oil, formaldehyde, and two environmentally friendly water-based mud formulations (WBM1 and WBM2) on the green macroalga <i>Ulva lactuca</i>, a sensitive bioindicator. Laboratory experiments (8–9 days) exposed algal samples to varying pollutant concentrations, while both physicochemical parameters (BOD₅, COD, pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen) and biological responses were assessed. Results revealed strong dose-dependent effects: increasing formaldehyde concentrations significantly depleted dissolved oxygen (R² = 0.998; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001), while crude oil and drilling muds induced visible stress, discoloration, and mortality in <i>U. lactuca</i>. By integrating water quality analysis with biological responses, this work highlights the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to offshore discharges and emphasizes the ecological relevance of <i>U. lactuca</i> as a bioindicator. The findings provide new insights into the role of drilling fluid additives, particularly formaldehyde, in driving oxygen depletion and physiological stress, underscoring the need for stricter environmental controls and sustainable drilling practices.</p>

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Environmental impact of offshore drilling discharges: ecotoxicological effects of crude oil vs. water-based mud on Ulva lactuca

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月13日

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  • Soumia Mahrez,
  • Samira Baba Hamed

摘要

Offshore drilling activities frequently release contaminants such as crude oil, chemical additives, and drilling muds into the marine environment, posing risks to water quality and marine life (life below water). This study investigated the ecotoxicological impact of crude oil, formaldehyde, and two environmentally friendly water-based mud formulations (WBM1 and WBM2) on the green macroalga Ulva lactuca, a sensitive bioindicator. Laboratory experiments (8–9 days) exposed algal samples to varying pollutant concentrations, while both physicochemical parameters (BOD₅, COD, pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen) and biological responses were assessed. Results revealed strong dose-dependent effects: increasing formaldehyde concentrations significantly depleted dissolved oxygen (R² = 0.998; p < 0.0001), while crude oil and drilling muds induced visible stress, discoloration, and mortality in U. lactuca. By integrating water quality analysis with biological responses, this work highlights the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to offshore discharges and emphasizes the ecological relevance of U. lactuca as a bioindicator. The findings provide new insights into the role of drilling fluid additives, particularly formaldehyde, in driving oxygen depletion and physiological stress, underscoring the need for stricter environmental controls and sustainable drilling practices.