Oil persistence in tundra and its impact on the below-ground ecosystem. Final report. [Eriophoium vaginatum (sedges); Betula nana (Birch trees)]

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6496131

Linkins, A E; Atlas, R M; Everett, K R

Prudhoe Bay crude oil was applied as a 20 1/m/sup 2/ surface spray on Eriophorium vaginatum tussock tundra at Eagle Summit, Ak, in August 1979. Oil caused a significant reduction in mycorrhizal root numbers and root respiration rates in Betula nana, but not E. vaginatum root tips which had grown through the 5 to 15 cm deep oil contaminated soil. Significant changes did occur in leaf scenescent patterns of B. nana and the tillering index of E. vaginatum. Soil cellulase and phosphatase enzyme activities both declined in the oiled soil horizons but were unaffected in horizons immediately below visibly contaminated organic matter.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA). Dept. of Biology; Louisville Univ., KY (USA). Dept. of Biology; Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AS05-76OR04940
• OSTI ID: 6496131
• Report Number(s): DOE/OR/04940-3; ON: DE83008992
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIRCHES
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
OIL SPILLS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
PLANTS
ARCTIC REGIONS
CELLULASE
LEAVES
MYCORRHIZAS
PHOSPHATASES
ROOTS
SOILS
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYDROLASES
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
POLAR REGIONS
TREES
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560303 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)