EFFECT OF CRUDE OIL POLLUTION ON OYSTERS 
157 
Crude oil pollution has been suspected as the chief cause of the mortality. No 
information is now available upon which to base an opinion as to the validity of this 
belief. Light films of oil were observed to be generally present in the vicinity of the 
Lake Barre wells, and below Leesville to the mouth of Bayou Grey. Whether or not 
this oil was harmful to oysters could not be determined in the short time allotted to 
the survey. But regardless of any alleged toxicity of oil to oysters, two facts should 
be borne in mind. First, oil in water is quickly taken up by oysters, imparting an 
oily taste to the flesh which renders the meat unsalable. Second, the effect of oil 
pollution will last over a long period, for the oil is carried to the bottom by suspended 
mud particles and released from time to time by storms, tonging, or dredging. 
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