Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1038/ncomms11206
Title (Primary) Immediate ecotoxicological effects of short-lived oil spills on marine biota
Author Brussaard, C.P.D.; Peperzak, L.; Beggah, S.; Wick, L.Y.; Wuerz, B.; Weber, J.; Arey, J.S.; van der Burg, B.; Jonas, A.; Huisman, J.; van der Meer, J.R.
Source Titel Nature Communications
Year 2016
Department UMB
Volume 7
Page From art. 11206
Language englisch
UFZ wide themes RU3;
Abstract Marine environments are frequently exposed to oil spills as a result of transportation, oil drilling or fuel usage. Whereas large oil spills and their effects have been widely documented, more common and recurrent small spills typically escape attention. To fill this important gap in the assessment of oil-spill effects, we performed two independent supervised full sea releases of 5m3 of crude oil, complemented by on-board mesocosm studies and sampling of accidentally encountered slicks. Using rapid on-board biological assays, we detect high bioavailability and toxicity of dissolved and dispersed oil within 24h after the spills, occurring fairly deep (8m) below the slicks. Selective decline of marine plankton is observed, equally relevant for early stages of larger spills. Our results demonstrate that, contrary to common thinking, even small spills have immediate adverse biological effects and their recurrent nature is likely to affect marine ecosystem functioning.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17381
Brussaard, C.P.D., Peperzak, L., Beggah, S., Wick, L.Y., Wuerz, B., Weber, J., Arey, J.S., van der Burg, B., Jonas, A., Huisman, J., van der Meer, J.R. (2016):
Immediate ecotoxicological effects of short-lived oil spills on marine biota
Nat. Commun. 7 , art. 11206 10.1038/ncomms11206