Interagency Investigations of a Persistent Oil Spill on the Washington Coast: Animal Population Studies, Hydrocarbon Uptake by Marine Organisms, and Algae Response Following the Grounding of the Troopship GENERAL M. C. MEIGS

1973 ◽  
Vol 1973 (1) ◽  
pp. 793-808
Author(s):  
Robert C. Clark, Jr. ◽  
John S. Finley ◽  
Benjamin G. Patten ◽  
Dennis F. Stefani ◽  
Edward E. DeNike
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Biological Damage ◽  
Intertidal Community ◽  
Upper Intertidal ◽  
Basic Characteristics

ABSTRACT An interagency team of biologists, chemists, oceanographers and engineers has been investigating the long-term effects of oil spilled by the grounding of the troopship GENERAL M. C. MEIGS January 6, 1972, on an ocean coast intertidal community of plants and animals. Oil has continuously been released from the 440,000 liters of Navy Special Fuel Oil carried by the vessel. The team assessed biological damage by making 1) surveys of abundance and physiological condition of animals, 2) qualitative evaluation of obvious damage to plants, and 3) measurements of the hydrocarbon uptake in both plants and animals. A series of sites, forming a vertical profile of the rocky shelf area from the upper intertidal zone to the lowest low tide level in Wreck Cove, have been studied. This report describes the preliminary findings of the first ten months (January-October, 1972) of the investigation. Abnormal and dead urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) indicated that this species was affected. Loss of fronds and bleached thalli not evident in control areas were observed in the plant community in the immediate vicinity of the hulk. Petroleum hydrocarbons were taken up in the intertidal community. The normal paraffin hydrocarbon patterns and content over the range n-C14 H30 to n-C37H76 of healthy-appearing goose barnacles (Mitella polymerus), crabs (Hemigrapsus nudus) and an alga (Fucus gardneri) display the same basic characteristics as the fuel oil which had been lost from the GENERAL M. C. MEIGS.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF AN OIL SPILL AT WEST FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS

1975 ◽  
Vol 1975 (1) ◽  
pp. 573-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Michael ◽  
C. R. Van Raalte ◽  
L. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Benthic Species ◽  
Offshore Area ◽  
Sediment Samples

ABSTRACT A small spill of No. 2 fuel oil occurred near Wild Harbor, Massachusetts, in September 1969. The benthic fauna of the Wild Harbor Marsh, boat basin, and offshore area was sampled through the fourth and fifth years after the spill (1973, 1974). Sediment samples were analyzed for the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons. Gas chromatography produced evidence of hydrocarbons typical of weathered fuel oil in the sediments of the marsh, boat, basin, and two offshore stations. The numbers of benthic species at the offshore stations and the marsh were slightly, but significantly, lower than those found at control stations. Population densities were similar to control areas for the offshore stations but not in the case of the marsh. The boat basin was still heavily affected. Some stations were characterized by the presence of opportunistic species. The recovery process in terms of the total benthos has leveled off, but there was evidence for further recovery during the course of the study.

THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALLY AND PHYSICALLY DISPERSED OIL ON THE BRAIN CORAL DIPLOMA STRIGOSA (DANA)—A SUMMARY REVIEW

1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 547-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony H. Knap ◽  
Sheila C. Wyers ◽  
Richard E. Dodge ◽  
Thomas D. Sleeter ◽  
Harold R. Frith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Lipid Synthesis ◽  
Staining Technique ◽  
Skeletal Growth ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Alizarin Red ◽  
Total Recovery ◽  
Dispersed Oil ◽  
Chemically Dispersed Oil

ABSTRACT The Coroil project in Bermuda has been an intensive, multidisciplinary study of the effects of physically and chemically dispersed Arabian light crude oil on the main reef-building coral in Bermuda, Diploria strigosa. This paper reviews the results of this three year study. Corals were exposed to dispersed oil in a flow system, using spectrofluorimetry and gas chromatography to characterize and quantify the dose. Appropriate controls were included in all experiments. The studies included effects of dispersed oil on survival and behavior, the uptake and depuration of petroleum hydrocarbons, photosynthesis by symbiotic zoo-xanthellae, and skeletal growth. In behavioral and growth studies, corals were dosed in the laboratory or in the field. Laboratory-dosed colonies were returned to the field to determine long-term effects. Exposure to 20 ppm of chemically dispersed oil for 24 hours induced various behavioral reactions, including tentacle retraction, tissue contraction and mesenterial filament extrusion. However, effects were typically sublethal, and recovery was usually evident within four days. These symptoms were not significant in long-term transplants. Using the alizarin red staining technique, no long-term effects on skeletal growth could be detected following any of our treatments. Depuration studies using (9-I4C) -phenanthrene and gas chromatographic analysis showed that the uptake of petroleum hydrocarbons by the tissue of Diploria was rapid, but 75 percent of the hydrocarbon dose was eliminated within 14 days. Photosynthesis studies showed a short-term inhibition of photosynthesis only by chemically dispersed oil, with lipid synthesis being most severely affected. Total recovery occurred within 24 hours of exposure.

SUBLETHAL INJURY TO RED MANGROVES TWO YEARS AFTER OILING1

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 1040-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally C. Levings ◽  
Stephen D. Garrity ◽  
Edward S. Van Vleet ◽  
Dana L. Wetzel
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Specific Growth ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Detailed Data ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Sublethal Injury ◽  
Species Specific

ABSTRACT More than 300,000 gallons of refined petroleum products were discharged near the entrance to Tampa Bay, Florida on August 10, 1993. Floating slicks and sunken oil patty (no. 6 fuel oil) subsequently entered Boca Ciega Bay through John's Pass and washed or stranded on four mangrove keys inside the pass. Between one and two years after the spill, surviving red mangroves showed graded negative responses to oil in 4 of 4 measures of shoot growth and production. Sublethal, long-term effects of oil spills may be more common than reported, but detection requires detailed data on species-specific growth and production patterns with respect to oiling.

Long-Term Effects of an Oil Spill on Populations of the Salt-Marsh Crab Uca pugnax

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 648-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. T. Krebs ◽  
K. A. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Uca Pugnax ◽  
Crab Population ◽  
Body Tissues

A spill of fuel oil at West Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1969 contaminated contiguous salt marshes with up to 6000 μg oil/g (ppm) of wet mud and affected local populations of the salt-marsh crab Uca pugnax. Directly related to high sediment oil content were reduced crab density, reduced ratio of females to males, reduced juvenile settlement, heavy overwinter mortality, incorporation of oil into body tissues, behavioral disorders such as locomotor impairment, and abnormal burrow construction. Concentrations of weathered fuel oil > 1000 ppm were directly toxic to adults, while those of 100–200 ppm were toxic to juveniles. Cumulative effects occurred at lower concentrations. Recovery of the marsh from this relatively small oil spill is still incomplete after 7 yr. Interpretation of the crab population data upon the basis of detailed analysis of the aromatic fraction of the fuel oil provided by Dr J. Teal, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, showed that recovery of the crab populations was highly correlated with the disappearance of the naphthalene fraction of the aromatics. There had been a decrease in the aromatics from 42% in 1970 to approximately 18% in 1976 in Station I surface sediments, while preliminary analyses show aromatics still high at other stations where little recovery has been observed. By 1970–71 all parent naphthalene compounds were gone in Station I surface sediments, but substituted naphthalenes were still in high concentrations. By 1972–73 dimethyl naphthalenes and C3 and C4 substituted naphthalenes remained at about 25% of original values. By 1976–77 only C3 and C4 substituted naphthalenes remained at less than one tenth of their 1973 levels. In 1972–73 the substituted naphthalenes were at high enough concentrations to prevent recruitment, as large juvenile crab settlements in 1970–73 produced no recruitment into the crab populations. By 1976–77 these toxic compounds were at low enough levels that recovery of the crab population was occurring with recruitment, and increasing density was observed in both years. High aromatic concentrations at other stations may still be inhibiting recovery at these stations. The long-term inhibition of recruitment and low population densities may have resulted from exposure to oil in the interstitial waters during the sensitive molt period and/or during the long periods of time while the crabs were overwintering in the substrate. Key words: petroleum, Uca pugnax, crab, salt-marsh, population, pollution

LONG-TERM CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF A PERSISTENT OIL SPILL FOLLOWING THE GROUNDING OF THE GENERAL M. C. MEIGS

1975 ◽  
Vol 1975 (1) ◽  
pp. 479-487
Author(s):  
Robert C. Clark ◽  
John S. Finley ◽  
Benjamin G. Patten ◽  
Edward E. DeNike
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Petroleum Hydrocarbon ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Intertidal Community ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Oil Residue

ABSTRACT Petroleum hydrocarbon uptake patterns and observations of plant and animal populations of an intertidal community exposed continually since January 1972 to small quantities of a Navy Special Fuel Oil residue from the grounded unmanned troopship General M. C. Meigs were obtained by an interagency team of oceanographers, biologists, chemists, and engineers. Although the tar-ball-like character of the released oil served to limit its coverage, specific members of the intertidal community showed effects of the persistence of the spill. This report describes the long-term observations and analyses made since the grounding of the 622-foot military transport on a rich and productive intertidal regime.

scholarly journals SEASONAL RESPONSE OF SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA TO OIL

1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 355-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve K. Alexander ◽  
James W. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Spartina Alterniflora ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Residual Oil ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Entire Plant ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Plant Surfaces ◽  
Lower Plant

ABSTRACT Salt marsh plots located in Galveston Bay, Texas, were treated with oil during November and May, the respective periods of declining and increasing growth for Spartina alterniflora. Four oils (Arabian crude, Libyan crude, No. 6 fuel, and No. 2 fuel) were applied to plots in four ways: no oil (control), 1 liter (L) on sediment, 1.5 L on sediment and lower portions of S. alterniflora, and 2 L on sediment and entire S. alterniflora surfaces. Live plant biomass and residual oil in sediment were determined periodically after oil treatment. Season did not influence S. alterniflora response to oil when applied to sediment and lower plant portions. In these cases, plant response was similar after November and May applications, with a reduction in live plant biomass observed only for No. 2 fuel oil. Season did influence S. alterniflora response to oil when applied to entire plant surfaces. Completely covering the plant typically caused a longer reduction in live plant biomass after the May application. Again, No. 2 fuel oil caused the greatest decrease in live plant biomass. Long-term effects on live plant biomass were observed through 12 months for No. 2 fuel oil and for complete plant coverage in May, but results of these observations were not related to high concentrations of residual oil in sediment. We believe that long-term effects were the result of initial adverse effects on roots, which slowed plant recovery.

Ovarian Dysfunction in Fetally Irradiated Beagles

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 658-659
Author(s):  
T. M. Seed ◽  
M. H. Sanderson ◽  
D. L. Gutzeit ◽  
T. E. Fritz ◽  
D. V. Tolle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Ovarian Dysfunction ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation ◽  
Ovarian Pathology ◽  
Normal Offspring

The developing mammalian fetus is thought to be highly sensitive to ionizing radiation. However, dose, dose-rate relationships are not well established, especially the long term effects of protracted, low-dose exposure. A previous report (1) has indicated that bred beagle bitches exposed to daily doses of 5 to 35 R 60Co gamma rays throughout gestation can produce viable, seemingly normal offspring. Puppies irradiated in utero are distinguishable from controls only by their smaller size, dental abnormalities, and, in adulthood, by their inability to bear young.We report here our preliminary microscopic evaluation of ovarian pathology in young pups continuously irradiated throughout gestation at daily (22 h/day) dose rates of either 0.4, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 R/day of gamma rays from an attenuated 60Co source. Pups from non-irradiated bitches served as controls. Experimental animals were evaluated clinically and hematologically (control + 5.0 R/day pups) at regular intervals.

Ultrastructural investigations of MDL 19,660-induced effects on the canine platelet and megakaryocyte

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-375
Author(s):  
D.E. Loudy ◽  
J. Sprinkle-Cavallo ◽  
J.T. Yarrington ◽  
F.Y. Thompson ◽  
J.P. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Antidepressant Drug ◽  
Beagle Dogs ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Induced Aggregation ◽  
Internal Architecture

Previous short term toxicological studies of one to two weeks duration have demonstrated that MDL 19,660 (5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4-dihydro-2,4-dimethyl-3Hl, 2,4-triazole-3-thione), an antidepressant drug, causes a dose-related thrombocytopenia in dogs. Platelet counts started to decline after two days of dosing with 30 mg/kg/day and continued to decrease to their lowest levels by 5-7 days. The loss in platelets was primarily of the small discoid subpopulation. In vitro studies have also indicated that MDL 19,660: does not spontaneously aggregate canine platelets and has moderate antiaggregating properties by inhibiting ADP-induced aggregation. The objectives of the present investigation of MDL 19,660 were to evaluate ultrastructurally long term effects on platelet internal architecture and changes in subpopulations of platelets and megakaryocytes.Nine male and nine female beagle dogs were divided equally into three groups and were administered orally 0, 15, or 30 mg/kg/day of MDL 19,660 for three months. Compared to a control platelet range of 353,000- 452,000/μl, a doserelated thrombocytopenia reached a maximum severity of an average of 135,000/μl for the 15 mg/kg/day dogs after two weeks and 81,000/μl for the 30 mg/kg/day dogs after one week.

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