To determine the impact of genetic toxicity caused by the Hebei Spirit oil spill on December 7, 2007, we
measured DNA damage in the blood cells of striped beakperch in vitro after exposure to extracts from
sediments in the Taean area. The objective of this study was to investigate temporal changes of toxic
effects caused by residual PAHs in the sediments up to 18 months after an oil spill. In conclusion, DNA
damage had reduced over this 18-month period; that is, the sediments recovered quickly from the oil pollution.
In addition, statistically significant correlations between PAHs and DNA damage were observed.
Because the comet assay is sensitive to DNA damage induced by genotoxic substances from the polluted
sediments, the comet assay can be considered a useful tool as a biomarker in investigating genetic toxicity
in environmental monitoring and elucidating the recovery of oil pollution after oil spill as well.