Among the different types of environmental pollution, the impact
of anthropogenic hydrocarbons in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
is probably the one that has caught major attention (i.e.
GESAMP, 1993; Neff et al., 2000; Jernelov, 2010). Aquatic pollution
by petroleum is usually caused by spills from tankers or industrial
discharges; it is critical in rivers and coastal waters. Although the
most visible feature of oil spill is the surface slick or mousses,
the water soluble hydrocarbon fraction (WSF) is, in fact, responsible
for the toxic effects.