Effects of oil on tundra ponds and streams. Final report, October 1, 1978-September 30, 1980
The effects of nutrient enrichment on an arctic tundra stream were studied in 1979 and 1980. The site was the Kuparuk River of the North Slope of Alaska. Concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in the river were extremely low, and phosphorus was indicated as the most important limiting nutrient. An artificial stream was set up to observe the effects of added nutrients on periphyton biomass and photosynthesis. The phosphorus and phosphorus plus nitrogen enrichments showed significant increase in algal growth and production over the controls. Nitrogen alone gave no stimulus. The effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on the decomposition of plant litter was observed in an experimental setup simulating conditions in Toolik Lake, Alaska. Overall microbial activity and heterotrophic activity (/sup 14/C acetate uptake) indicated no significant short term effect after oil addition. In longer experiments, the decomposition rate of lignin and cellulose components of Carex was observed by following /sup 14/C labelled compounds. Various inhibitory and stimulatory responses were found. The studies on zooplankton and fish responses to crude oil were carried out in aquaria simulating Toolik Lake. Zooplankton with large surface to volume ratios (Daphnia) were observed to be most susceptible, while animals with large bodies were the least (Heterocope). After 2 days the oil had lost its lethal effect, but a 12 hour exposure was enough to reduce the population 95%. High doses of oil produced no mortality even on small arctic grayling. Respiration was reduced 40% after the exposure but recovery was total after 3 days. The long term recovery from an oil spill was monitored in several ponds near Barrow, Alaska. Almost total recovery of the normal biota took about 2 years. Exceptions to this were changes in species composition among planktonic algae observed for 6 years, and the elimination of varius zooplankton and aquatic insects for up to 7 years.
- Research Organization:
- Marine Biological Lab., Woods Hole, MA (USA). Ecosystems Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76EV02989
- OSTI ID:
- 5236964
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/02989-2; ON: DE82018899
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ARCTIC REGIONS
OIL SPILLS
WATER RECLAMATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALASKA
ALGAE
BIODEGRADATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FISHES
LAKES
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PONDS
RIVERS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TUNDRA
ZOOPLANKTON
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION X
INFORMATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
POLAR REGIONS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
SYNTHESIS
USA
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)
560304 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Invertebrates- (-1987)