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McClenachan G, Turner RE. Disturbance legacies and shifting trajectories: Marsh soil strength and shoreline erosion a decade after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 322:121151. [PMID: 36709034 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Marsh resilience post disturbance is strongly dependent on the belowground dynamics affecting the emergent plants aboveground. We investigated the long-term impacts at the marsh-water interface in coastal wetlands of south Louisiana after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill with a combination of fieldwork (2010-2018) and spatial analysis (1998-2021). Data were collected on shoreline erosion rates, marsh platform elevation heights and cantilever overhang widths, and soil strength up to 1 m depth. Oil concentration in the top 5 cm of the marsh soil were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and were 1000 times higher than before the spill and remained 10 times higher eight years post-oiling. The oiling initially caused the marsh edge to subside, and chronic effects lowered soil strength, creating a faster erosion rate and deeper water within 150 cm of the shoreline. Soil strength declined by 50% throughout the 1 m soil profile after oiling and has not recovered. The mean erosion rate for 11 years post-spill was double that before oiling and there was an additive impact on erosion rates after Hurricane Isaac. Erosion appeared to have recovered to pre-spill rates by 2019, however from 2019 to 2021, the rate increased by 118% above the pre-spill rate. The continuing loss of soil strength indicates that the belowground biomass was seriously compromised by oiling. The perpetuation of oil in the remaining marsh may have set a new baseline for soil strength and subsequent storm induced erosional events. The remaining marsh soils retain chronic physical and biological legacies compromising recovery for more than a decade that may be evident in other marsh habitats subject to oiling and other stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Eugene Turner
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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2
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Husseneder C, Bhalerao DR, Foil LD. Was the decline of saltmarsh tabanid populations after the 2010 oil spill associated with change in the larval food web? Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Husseneder
- Department of Entomology Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Devika R. Bhalerao
- Department of Entomology Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Lane D. Foil
- Department of Entomology Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
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3
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El-Khaled YC, Daraghmeh N, Tilstra A, Roth F, Huettel M, Rossbach FI, Casoli E, Koester A, Beck M, Meyer R, Plewka J, Schmidt N, Winkelgrund L, Merk B, Wild C. Fleshy red algae mats act as temporary reservoirs for sessile invertebrate biodiversity. Commun Biol 2022; 5:579. [PMID: 35697788 PMCID: PMC9192683 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03523-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass meadows, currently experience overgrowth by fleshy algae due to the interplay of local and global stressors. This is usually accompanied by strong decreases in habitat complexity and biodiversity. Recently, persistent, mat-forming fleshy red algae, previously described for the Black Sea and several Atlantic locations, have also been observed in the Mediterranean. These several centimetre high mats may displace seagrass meadows and invertebrate communities, potentially causing a substantial loss of associated biodiversity. We show that the sessile invertebrate biodiversity in these red algae mats is high and exceeds that of neighbouring seagrass meadows. Comparative biodiversity indices were similar to or higher than those recently described for calcifying green algae habitats and biodiversity hotspots like coral reefs or mangrove forests. Our findings suggest that fleshy red algae mats can act as alternative habitats and temporary sessile invertebrate biodiversity reservoirs in times of environmental change. Comparative analyses of fleshy red algae mats and seagrass meadows highlight their value in fostering sessile invertebrate biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf C El-Khaled
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Nauras Daraghmeh
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany.,Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Arjen Tilstra
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Florian Roth
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden.,Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markus Huettel
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4520, USA
| | - Felix I Rossbach
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Edoardo Casoli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Koester
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Milan Beck
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Raïssa Meyer
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia Plewka
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Neele Schmidt
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lisa Winkelgrund
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Merk
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Christian Wild
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
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Zengel S, Weaver J, Mendelssohn IA, Graham SA, Lin Q, Hester MW, Willis JM, Silliman BR, Fleeger JW, McClenachan G, Rabalais NN, Turner RE, Hughes AR, Cebrian J, Deis DR, Rutherford N, Roberts BJ. Meta-analysis of salt marsh vegetation impacts and recovery: a synthesis following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e02489. [PMID: 34741358 PMCID: PMC9285535 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine oil spills continue to be a global issue, heightened by spill events such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest marine oil spill in US waters and among the largest worldwide, affecting over 1,000 km of sensitive wetland shorelines, primarily salt marshes supporting numerous ecosystem functions. To synthesize the effects of the oil spill on foundational vegetation species in the salt marsh ecosystem, Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus, we performed a meta-analysis using data from 10 studies and 255 sampling sites over seven years post-spill. We examined the hypotheses that the oil spill reduced plant cover, stem density, vegetation height, aboveground biomass, and belowground biomass, and tracked the degree of effects temporally to estimate recovery time frames. All plant metrics indicated impacts from oiling, with 20-100% maximum reductions depending on oiling level and marsh zone. Peak reductions of ~70-90% in total plant cover, total aboveground biomass, and belowground biomass were observed for heavily oiled sites at the marsh edge. Both Spartina and Juncus were impacted, with Juncus affected to a greater degree. Most plant metrics had recovery time frames of three years or longer, including multiple metrics with incomplete recovery over the duration of our data, at least seven years post-spill. Belowground biomass was particularly concerning, because it declined over time in contrast with recovery trends in most aboveground metrics, serving as a strong indicator of ongoing impact, limited recovery, and impaired resilience. We conclude that the Deepwater Horizon spill had multiyear impacts on salt marsh vegetation, with full recovery likely to exceed 10 years, particularly in heavily oiled marshes, where erosion may preclude full recovery. Vegetation impacts and delayed recovery is likely to have exerted substantial influences on ecosystem processes and associated species, especially along heavily oiled shorelines. Our synthesis affords a greater understanding of ecosystem impacts and recovery following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and informs environmental impact analysis, contingency planning, emergency response, damage assessment, and restoration efforts related to oil spills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Zengel
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI)TallahasseeFlorida32303USA
| | | | | | - Sean A. Graham
- Gulf South Research CorporationBaton RougeLouisiana70820USA
| | - Qianxin Lin
- Louisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisiana70803USA
| | - Mark W. Hester
- University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayetteLouisiana70504USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Nancy N. Rabalais
- Louisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisiana70803USA
- Louisiana Universities Marine ConsortiumChauvinLouisiana70344USA
| | | | - A. Randall Hughes
- Northeastern University Marine Science CenterNahantMassachusetts01908USA
| | - Just Cebrian
- Northern Gulf InstituteStennis Space CenterMississippi State UniversityStarkvilleMississippi39529USA
| | | | - Nicolle Rutherford
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)SeattleWashington98115USA
| | - Brian J. Roberts
- Louisiana Universities Marine ConsortiumChauvinLouisiana70344USA
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5
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Hart ME, Perez-Umphrey A, Stouffer PC, Burns CB, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Taylor SS, Woltmann S. Nest survival of Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259022. [PMID: 34699553 PMCID: PMC8547620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, damaging coastal ecosystems. Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima)-a year-round resident of Gulf Coast salt marshes-were exposed to oil, as shown by published isotopic and molecular analyses, but fitness consequences have not been clarified. We monitored nests around two bays in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, USA from 2012-2017 to assess possible impacts on the nesting biology of Seaside Sparrows. A majority of nests failed (76% of known-fate nests, N = 252 nests, 3521 exposure-days) during our study, and predation was the main cause of nest failure (~91% of failed nests). Logistic exposure analysis revealed that daily nest survival rate: (1) was greater at nests with denser vegetation at nest height, (2) was higher in the more sheltered bay we studied, (3) decreased over the course of the breeding season in each year, and (4) was not correlated with either sediment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations or estimated predator abundance during the years for which we had those data. Although the Deepwater Horizon spill impacted other aspects of Seaside Sparrow ecology, we found no definitive effect of initial oiling or oiled sediment on nest survival during 2012-2017. Because predation was the overwhelming cause of nest failure in our study, additional work on these communities is needed to fully understand demographic and ecological impacts of storms, oil spills, other pollutants, and sea-level rise on Seaside Sparrows and their predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Hart
- Center of Excellence for Field Biology, and Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States of America
| | - Anna Perez-Umphrey
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Philip C Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Christine Bergeon Burns
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Sabrina S Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Stefan Woltmann
- Center of Excellence for Field Biology, and Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States of America
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6
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Rippel TM, Tomasula J, Murphy SM, Wimp GM. Global change in marine coastal habitats impacts insect populations and communities. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 47:1-6. [PMID: 33610775 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Salt marsh and mangrove coastal ecosystems provide critical ecosystem services, but are being lost at an alarming rate. Insect communities in these ecosystems are threatened by human impacts, including sea level rise, habitat loss, external inputs including nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons, as well as weather events, such as hurricanes. While some disturbances are felt throughout the food web (e.g. hurricanes), others are mediated by impacts on the dominant plants (e.g. nutrient subsidies). The impacts of these disturbances on insects/spiders and their rate of recovery is dependent on trophic level, life history, and diet breadth. While we understand impacts of single disturbances relatively well, we have very little understanding of how multiple disturbances interact to affect insect communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler M Rippel
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O Street NW, Washington, D.C., USA.
| | - Jewel Tomasula
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O Street NW, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Shannon M Murphy
- Department of Biology, University of Denver, 2190 E. Iliff Ave, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Gina M Wimp
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O Street NW, Washington, D.C., USA
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7
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Ferrante M, Möller D, Möller G, Menares E, Lubin Y, Segoli M. Invertebrate and vertebrate predation rates in a hyperarid ecosystem following an oil spill. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12153-12160. [PMID: 34522367 PMCID: PMC8427564 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Extreme temperatures and scarce precipitation in deserts have led to abiotic factors often being regarded as more important than biotic ones in shaping desert communities. The presumed low biological activity of deserts is also one reason why deserts are often overlooked by conservation programs. We provide the first quantification of predation intensity from a desert ecosystem using artificial sentinel prey emulating caterpillars, a standardized monitoring tool to quantify relative predation pressure by many invertebrate and vertebrate predators. The study was conducted in a protected natural area affected by oil spills in 1975 and 2014; hence, we assessed the potential effects of oil pollution on predation rates. We found that predation was mostly due to invertebrate rather than vertebrate predators, fluctuated throughout the year, was higher at the ground level than in the tree canopy, and was not negatively affected by the oil spills. The mean predation rate per day (12.9%) was within the range found in other ecosystems, suggesting that biotic interactions in deserts ought not to be neglected and that ecologists should adopt standardized tools to track ecological functions and allow for comparisons among ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ferrante
- Mitrani Department of Desert EcologyBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevMidreshet Ben‐GurionIsrael
- Ce3C ‐ Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental ChangesAzorean Biodiversity GroupFaculty of Agricultural Sciences and EnvironmentUniversity of the AzoresAngra do HeroísmoPortugal
| | - Daniella Möller
- Mitrani Department of Desert EcologyBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevMidreshet Ben‐GurionIsrael
| | - Gabriella Möller
- Mitrani Department of Desert EcologyBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevMidreshet Ben‐GurionIsrael
| | - Esteban Menares
- Mitrani Department of Desert EcologyBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevMidreshet Ben‐GurionIsrael
- Department of EcologyBrandenburg University of Technology Cottbus‐SenftenbergCottbusGermany
| | - Yael Lubin
- Mitrani Department of Desert EcologyBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevMidreshet Ben‐GurionIsrael
| | - Michal Segoli
- Mitrani Department of Desert EcologyBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevMidreshet Ben‐GurionIsrael
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8
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Moyo S, Bennadji H, Laguaite D, Pérez-Umphrey AA, Snider AM, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Olin JA, Stouffer PC, Taylor SS, López-Duarte PC, Roberts BJ, Hooper-Bui L, Polito MJ. Stable isotope analyses identify trophic niche partitioning between sympatric terrestrial vertebrates in coastal saltmarshes with differing oiling histories. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11392. [PMID: 34316388 PMCID: PMC8288111 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioindicator species are commonly used as proxies to help identify the ecological effects of oil spills and other stressors. However, the utility of taxa as bioindicators is dependent on understanding their trophic niche and life history characteristics, as these factors mediate their ecological responses. Seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) are two ubiquitous terrestrial vertebrates that are thought to be bioindicators of oil spills in saltmarsh ecosystems. To improve the utility of these omnivorous taxa as bioindicators, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to quantify their trophic niches at saltmarshes in coastal Louisiana with differing oiling histories. We found that rats generally had lower trophic positions and incorporated more aquatic prey relative to seaside sparrows. The range of resources used (i.e.,trophic niche width) varied based on oiling history. Seaside sparrows had wider trophic niches than marsh rice rats at unoiled sites, but not at oiled sites. Trophic niche widths of conspecifics were less consistent at oiled sites, although marsh rice rats at oiled sites had wider trophic niches than rats at unoiled sites. These results suggest that past oiling histories may have imparted subtle, yet differing effects on the foraging ecology of these two co-occurring species. However, the temporal lag between initial oiling and our study makes identifying the ultimate drivers of differences between oiled and unoiled sites challenging. Even so, our findings provide a baseline quantification of the trophic niches of sympatric seaside sparrows and marsh rice rats that will aid in the use of these species as indicators of oiling and other environmental stressors in saltmarsh ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Moyo
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Hayat Bennadji
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Danielle Laguaite
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Anna A Pérez-Umphrey
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Allison M Snider
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Jill A Olin
- Great Lakes Research Center, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America
| | - Philip C Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Sabrina S Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Paola C López-Duarte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
| | - Brian J Roberts
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA, United States of America
| | - Linda Hooper-Bui
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Michael J Polito
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
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Martin CW, McDonald AM, Rieucau G, Roberts BJ. Previous oil exposure alters Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis oil avoidance behavior. PeerJ 2021; 8:e10587. [PMID: 33384905 PMCID: PMC7751417 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oil spills threaten the structure and function of ecological communities. The Deepwater Horizon spill was predicted to have catastrophic consequences for nearshore fishes, but field studies indicate resilience in populations and communities. Previous research indicates many marsh fishes exhibit avoidance of oil contaminated areas, representing one potential mechanism for this resilience. Here, we test whether prior oil exposure of Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis alters this avoidance response. Using choice tests between unoiled and oiled sediments at one of three randomized concentrations (low: 0.1 L oil m-2, medium: 0.5 L oil m-2, or high: 3.0 L oil m-2), we found that, even at low prior exposure levels, killifish lose recognition of oiled sediments compared to control, unexposed fish. Preference for unoiled sediments was absent across all oil concentrations after oil exposure, and some evidence for preference of oiled sediments at high exposure was demonstrated. These results highlight the lack of response to toxic environments in exposed individuals, indicating altered behavior despite organism survival. Future research should document additional sublethal consequences that affect ecosystem and food web functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Martin
- UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida, Cedar Key, FL, United States of America
| | - Ashley M McDonald
- UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida, Cedar Key, FL, United States of America
| | - Guillaume Rieucau
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA, United States of America
| | - Brian J Roberts
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA, United States of America
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10
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Möller DM, Ferrante M, Möller GM, Rozenberg T, Segoli M. The Impact of Terrestrial Oil Pollution on Parasitoid Wasps Associated With Vachellia (Fabales: Fabaceae) Trees in a Desert Ecosystem, Israel. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:1355-1362. [PMID: 33140833 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Oil is a major pollutant of the environment, and terrestrial oil spills frequently occur in desert areas. Although arthropods account for a large share of animal diversity, the effect of oil pollution on this group is rarely documented. We evaluated the effects of oil pollution on parasitoid wasps associated with Vachellia (formerly Acacia) tortilis (Forssk.) and Vachellia raddiana (Savi) trees in a hyper-arid desert that was affected by two major oil spills (in 1975 and 2014). We sampled the parasitoid populations between 2016 and 2018 in three sampling sites and compared their abundance, diversity, and community composition between oil-polluted and unpolluted trees. Parasitoid abundance in oil-polluted trees was lower in one of the sites affected by the recent oil spill, but not in the site affected by the 1975 oil spill. Oil-polluted trees supported lower parasitoid diversity than unpolluted trees in some sampling site/year combinations; however, such negative effects were inconsistent and pollution explained a small proportion of the variation in parasitoid community composition. Our results indicate that oil pollution may negatively affect parasitoid abundances and diversity, although the magnitude of the effect depends on the tree species, sampling site, and the time since the oil spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella M Möller
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Marco Ferrante
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Ambiente, Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Gabriella M Möller
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Tamir Rozenberg
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Michal Segoli
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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11
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Deis DR, Fleeger JW, Johnson DS, Mendelssohn IA, Lin Q, Graham SA, Zengel S, Hou A. Recovery of the salt marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) 9 years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Size matters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 160:111581. [PMID: 32890962 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies indicated salt marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata) were strongly impacted in heavily oiled marshes for at least 5 years following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Here, we detail longer-term effects and recovery over nine years. Our analysis found that neither density nor population size structure recovered at heavily oiled sites where snails were smaller and variability in size structure and density was increased. Total aboveground live plant biomass and stem density remained lower over time in heavily oiled marshes, and we speculate that the resulting more open canopy stimulated benthic microalgal production contributing to high spring periwinkle densities or that the lower stem density reduced the ability of subadults and small adults to escape predation. Our data indicate that periwinkle population recovery may take one to two decades after the oil spill at moderately oiled and heavily oiled sites, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John W Fleeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - David S Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA
| | - Irving A Mendelssohn
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Qianxin Lin
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Sean A Graham
- Gulf South Research Corporation, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Scott Zengel
- Research Planning, Inc., Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
| | - Aixin Hou
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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12
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Bonisoli-Alquati A, Xu W, Stouffer PC, Taylor SS. Transcriptome analysis indicates a broad range of toxic effects of Deepwater Horizon oil on Seaside Sparrows. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 720:137583. [PMID: 32325582 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In marine species, the transcriptomic response to Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil implicated many biochemical pathways, with corresponding adverse outcomes on organ development and physiological performance. Terrestrial organisms differ in their mechanisms of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their physiological challenges, and may reveal either distinct effects of oil on biochemical pathways or the generality of the responses to oil shown in marine species. Using a cross-species hybridization microarray approach, we investigated the transcriptomic response in the liver of Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) exposed to DWH oil compared with birds from a control site. Our analysis identified 295 genes differentially expressed between birds exposed to oil and controls. Gene ontology (GO) and canonical pathway analysis suggested that the identified genes were involved in a coordinated response that promoted hepatocellular proliferation and liver regeneration while inhibiting apoptosis, necrosis, and liver steatosis. Exposure to oil also altered the expression of genes regulating energy homeostasis, including carbohydrate metabolism and gluconeogenesis, and the biosynthesis, transport and metabolism of lipids. These results provide a molecular mechanism for the long-standing observation of hepatic hypertrophy and altered lipid biosynthesis and transport in birds exposed to crude oil. Several of the activated pathways and pathological outcomes shown here overlap with the ones altered in fish species upon exposure to oil. Overall, our study shows that the path of oil contamination from the marine system into salt marshes can lead to similar responses in terrestrial birds to those described in marine organisms, suggesting similar adverse outcomes and shared machinery for detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bonisoli-Alquati
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, United States of America.
| | - W Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America
| | - P C Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America; LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - S S Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America; LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
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13
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Martin CW, Lewis KA, McDonald AM, Spearman TP, Alford SB, Christian RC, Valentine JF. Disturbance-driven changes to northern Gulf of Mexico nekton communities following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 155:111098. [PMID: 32469757 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico discharged ~3.19 million barrels of oil into Gulf waters, making it one of the largest marine disasters in history in terms of volume. We report on the results of a study to assess oil impacts to coastal fishes and invertebrates. Using two-decades of fisheries-independent data in coastal Alabama and Mississippi, we document variability following both natural and anthropogenic disturbances from two periods pre-DwH (1997-2001 and 2007-2009), one intra-spill period for acute DwH effects (2010-2012) and one period post-spill for chronic, longer-term impacts (2014-2017). Results indicated significant changes to community structure, relative abundance, and diversity in the intra-spill period. Causation for changes is confounded by variables such as behavioral emigration, altered freshwater inflow, death of consumers, and the mandated fishery closure. Results highlight the need for long-term, comprehensive monitoring/observing systems to provide adequate background for assessing future disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Martin
- Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, United States of America.
| | - Kristy A Lewis
- Department of Biology and The National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, United States of America
| | - Ashley M McDonald
- Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, United States of America
| | - Trey P Spearman
- Department of Marine Science, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, United States of America
| | - Scott B Alford
- Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, United States of America; Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States of America
| | - Robert C Christian
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, United States of America
| | - John F Valentine
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States of America
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14
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Machałowski T, Wysokowski M, Petrenko I, Fursov A, Rahimi-Nasrabadi M, Amro MM, Meissner H, Joseph Y, Fazilov B, Ehrlich H, Jesionowski T. Naturally pre-designed biomaterials: Spider molting cuticle as a functional crude oil sorbent. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 261:110218. [PMID: 32148288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Diverse fields of modern environmental technology are nowadays focused on the discovery and development of new sources for oil spill removal. An especially interesting type of sorbents is those of natural origin-biosorbents-as ready-to-use constructs with biodegradable, nontoxic, renewable and cost-efficient properties. Moreover, the growing problem of microplastic-related contamination in the oceans further encourages the use of biosorbents. Here, for the first time, naturally pre-designed molting cuticles of the Theraphosidae spider Avicularia sp. "Peru purple", as part of constituting a large-scale spider origin waste material, were used for efficient sorption of crude oil. Compared with currently used materials, the proposed biosorbent of spider cuticular origin demonstrates excellent ability to remain on the water surface for a long time. In this study the morphology and hydrophobic features of Theraphosidae cuticle are investigated for the first time. The unique surface morphology and very low surface free energy (4.47 ± 0.08 mN/m) give the cuticle-based, tube-like, porous biosorbent excellent oleophilic-hydrophobic properties. The crude oil sorption capacities of A. sp. "Peru purple" molt structures in sea water, distilled water and fresh water were measured at 12.6 g/g, 15.8 g/g and 16.6 g/g respectively. These results indicate that this biomaterial is more efficient than such currently used fibrous sorbents as human hairs or chicken feathers. Four cycles of desorption were performed and confirmed the reusability of the proposed biosorbent. We suggest that the oil adsorption mechanism is related to the brush-like and microporous structure of the tubular spider molting cuticles and may also involve interaction between the cuticular wax layers and crude oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Machałowski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60965, Poznan, Poland; Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav Zeuner Str. 3, 09599, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Marcin Wysokowski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60965, Poznan, Poland; Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav Zeuner Str. 3, 09599, Freiberg, Germany.
| | - Iaroslav Petrenko
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav Zeuner Str. 3, 09599, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Andriy Fursov
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav Zeuner Str. 3, 09599, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Mehdi Rahimi-Nasrabadi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, P94V+47, Tehran, Iran; Faculty of Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, P94R+9X, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moh'd M Amro
- Institute of Drilling Technology and Fluid Mining, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Agricolastraße 22, 09599, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Heike Meissner
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus of Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Yvonne Joseph
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav Zeuner Str. 3, 09599, Freiberg, Germany
| | | | - Hermann Ehrlich
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav Zeuner Str. 3, 09599, Freiberg, Germany; Wielkopolska Center for Advanced Technologies (WCAT), Poznan, Poland
| | - Teofil Jesionowski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60965, Poznan, Poland.
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15
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Fleeger JW, Johnson DS, Zengel S, Mendelssohn IA, Deis DR, Graham SA, Lin Q, Christman MC, Riggio MR, Pant M. Macroinfauna responses and recovery trajectories after an oil spill differ from those following saltmarsh restoration. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 155:104881. [PMID: 32072985 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Given the severity of injuries to biota in coastal wetlands from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWH) and the resulting availability of funding for restoration, information on impacted salt marshes and biotic development of restored marshes may both help inform marsh restoration planning in the near term and for future spills. Accordingly, we performed a meta-analysis to model a restoration trajectory of total macroinfauna density in constructed marshes (studied for ~30 y), and with a previously published restoration trajectory for amphipods, we compared these to recovery curves for total macroinfauna and amphipods from DWH impacted marshes (over 8.5 y). Total macroinfauna and amphipod densities in constructed marshes did not consistently reach equivalency with reference sites before 20 y, yet in heavily oiled marshes recovery occurred by 4.5 y post spill (although it is unlikely that macroinfaunal community composition fully recovered). These differences were probably due to initial conditions (e.g., higher initial levels of belowground organic matter in oiled marshes) that were more conducive to recovery as compared to constructed marshes. Furthermore, we found that amphipod trajectories were distinctly different in constructed and oiled marshes as densities at oiled sites exceeded that of reference sites by as much as 20x during much of the recovery period. Amphipods may have responded to the rapid increase and high biomass of benthic microalgae following the spill. These results indicate that biotic responses after an oil spill may be quantitatively different than those following restoration, even for heavily oiled marshes that were initially denuded of vegetation. Our dual trajectories for oil spill recovery and restoration development for macroinfauna should help guide restoration planning and assessment following the DWH as well as for restoration scaling for future spills.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Fleeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
| | - D S Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
| | - S Zengel
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), 247 E. 7th Ave, Tallahassee, FL, 32303, USA
| | - I A Mendelssohn
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 70803, USA
| | - D R Deis
- Atkins, Jacksonville, FL, 32256, USA
| | - S A Graham
- Gulf South Research Corporation, 8081 Innovation Park Dr, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA
| | - Q Lin
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 70803, USA
| | - M C Christman
- MCC Statistical Consulting, LLC, 2219 NW 23rd Terrace, Gainesville, FL, 32605, USA
| | - M R Riggio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - M Pant
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
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16
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Turner RE, Rabalais NN, Overton EB, Meyer BM, McClenachan G, Swenson EM, Besonen M, Parsons ML, Zingre J. Oiling of the continental shelf and coastal marshes over eight years after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:1367-1376. [PMID: 31254894 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We measured the temporal and spatial trajectory of oiling from the April, 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil spill in water from Louisiana's continental shelf, the estuarine waters of Barataria Bay, and in coastal marsh sediments. The concentrations of 28 target alkanes and 43 target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in water samples collected on 10 offshore cruises, in 19 water samples collected monthly one km offshore at 13 inshore stations in 2010 and 2013, and in 16-60 surficial marsh sediment samples collected on each of 26 trips. The concentration of total aromatics in offshore waters peaked in late summer, 2010, at 100 times above the May, 2010 values, which were already slightly contaminated. There were no differences in surface or bottom water samples. The concentration of total aromatics declined at a rate of 73% y-1 to 1/1000th of the May 2010 values by summer 2016. The concentrations inside the estuary were proportional to those one km offshore, but were 10-30% lower. The oil concentrations in sediments were initially different at 1 and 10 m distance into the marsh, but became equal after 2 years. Thus, the distinction between oiled and unoiled sites became blurred, if not non-existent then, and oiling had spread over an area wider than was visible initially. The concentrations of oil in sediments were 100-1000 times above the May 2010 values, and dropped to 10 times higher after 8 years, thereafter, demonstrating a long-term contamination by oil or oil residues that will remain for decades. The chemical signature of the oil residues offshore compared to in the marsh reflects the more aerobic offshore conditions and water-soluble tendencies of the dissolved components, whereas the anaerobic marsh sediments will retain the heavier molecular components for a long time, and have a consequential effect on the ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Eugene Turner
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
| | - Nancy N Rabalais
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Edward B Overton
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Buffy M Meyer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Giovanna McClenachan
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA; Presently, Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Erick M Swenson
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Mark Besonen
- Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, USA
| | - Michael L Parsons
- Coastal Watershed Institute, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, 33965, USA
| | - Jeffrey Zingre
- Coastal Watershed Institute, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, 33965, USA
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17
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Boulais M, Vignier J, Loh AN, Chu FLE, Lay CR, Morris JM, Krasnec MO, Volety A. Sublethal effects of oil-contaminated sediment to early life stages of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 243:743-751. [PMID: 30228066 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil drilling rig resulted in the release of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This event coincided with the spawning season of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Although oil bound to sediments constitutes an important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure to benthic organisms, toxicity of sediment-associated DWH oil has not been investigated in any bivalve species. Here, we evaluated the sublethal effects of acute exposure of gametes, embryos and veliger larvae of the Eastern oyster to different concentrations of unfiltered elutriates of sediment contaminated with DWH oil. Our results suggest that gametes, embryos and veliger larvae are harmed by exposure to unfiltered elutriates of contaminated sediment. Effective concentrations for fertilization inhibition were 40.6 μg tPAH50 L-1 and 173.2 μg tPAH50 L-1 for EC201h and EC501h values, respectively. Embryo exposure resulted in dose-dependent abnormalities (EC20 and EC50 values were 77.7 μg tPAH50 L-1 and 151 μg tPAH50 L-1, respectively) and reduction in shell growth (EC2024h value of 1180 μg tPAH50 L-1). Development and growth of veliger larvae were less sensitive to sediment-associated PAHs compared to embryos. Fertilization success and abnormality of larvae exposed as embryos were the most sensitive endpoints for assessing the toxicity of oil-contaminated sediment. Bulk of measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were sediment-bound and caused toxic effects at lower tPAH50 concentrations than high energy water accommodated fractions (HEWAF) preparations from the same DWH oil. This study suggests risk assessments would benefit from further study of suspended contaminated sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrina Boulais
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Julien Vignier
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
| | - Ai Ning Loh
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Fu Lin E Chu
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Gloucester Point, 23062, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Aswani Volety
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA.
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18
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DeLeo DM, Herrera S, Lengyel SD, Quattrini AM, Kulathinal RJ, Cordes EE. Gene expression profiling reveals deep-sea coral response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:4066-4077. [PMID: 30137660 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Deep-sea coral communities are key components of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and were adversely affected by the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill. Coral colonies exposed to oil and dispersant exhibited mortality, damage and physiological signatures of stress. Understanding how corals respond to oil and dispersant exposure at the molecular level is important to elucidate the sublethal effects of the DWH disaster and reveal broader patterns of coral stress responses. Gene expression profiles from RNAseq data were compared between corals at an impacted site and from a reference site. A total of 1,439 differentially expressed genes (≥twofold) were shared among impacted Paramuricea biscaya colonies. Genes involved in oxidative stress, immunity, wound repair, tissue regeneration and metabolism of xenobiotics were significantly differentially expressed in impacted corals. Enrichment among the overexpressed genes indicates the corals were enduring high metabolic demands associated with cellular stress responses and repair mechanisms. Underexpression of genes vital to toxin processing also suggests a diminished capacity to cope with environmental stressors. Our results provide evidence that deep-sea corals exhibited genome-wide cellular stress responses to oil and dispersant exposure and demonstrate the utility of next-generation sequencing for monitoring anthropogenic impacts in deep waters. These analyses will facilitate the development of diagnostic markers for oil and dispersant exposure in deep-sea invertebrates and inform future oil spill response efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M DeLeo
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida
| | - Santiago Herrera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen D Lengyel
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrea M Quattrini
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, F.W. Olin Science Center, Claremont, California
| | - Rob J Kulathinal
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Erik E Cordes
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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19
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Recovery of horse fly populations in Louisiana marshes following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13777. [PMID: 30213957 PMCID: PMC6137066 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31442-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010 had unprecedented impact on the Gulf of Mexico. We established the greenhead horse fly (Tabanus nigrovittatus Macquart) as a bioindicator of marsh health. This species is bound to coastal marshes, since its larvae develop as top invertebrate predators in the marsh soil. Immediately after the oil spill (2010–2011), populations of this horse fly declined in oiled areas of Louisiana marshes with significant impacts on genetic structure. In this follow-up study five years after the catastrophic event (2015–2016), we now report signs of recovery of populations in formerly oiled areas. Fly numbers increased compared to previous counts. Previously detected genetic bottlenecks in oiled populations have disappeared. Migration into oiled areas began to replenish formerly depleted horse fly populations in impacted regions with populations from non-oiled areas as an important source of migrants. Parameters of family structure that had been impacted by the oil spill (number of breeding parents, effective population size, number of family clusters) rebounded to levels similar to or exceeding those in non-oiled control areas.
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20
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Xie Y, Zhang X, Yang J, Kim S, Hong S, Giesy JP, Yim UH, Shim WJ, Yu H, Khim JS. eDNA-based bioassessment of coastal sediments impacted by an oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 238:739-748. [PMID: 29625298 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Oil spills offshore can cause long-term ecological effects on coastal marine ecosystems. Despite their important ecological roles in the cycling of energy and nutrients in food webs, effects on bacteria, protists or arthropods are often neglected. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding was applied to characterize changes in the structure of micro- and macro-biota communities of surface sediments over a 7-year period since the occurrence of Hebei Spirit oil spill on December 7, 2007. Alterations in diversities and structures of micro- and macro-biota were observed in the contaminated area where concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were greater. Successions of bacterial, protists and metazoan communities revealed long-term ecological effects of residual oil. Residual oil dominated the largest cluster of the community-environment association network. Presence of bacterial families (Aerococcaceae and Carnobacteriaceae) and the protozoan family (Platyophryidae) might have conferred sensitivity of communities to oil pollution. Hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial families (Anaerolinaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Helicobacteraceae and Piscirickettsiaceae) and algal family (Araphid pennate) were resistant to adverse effects of spilt oil. The protistan family (Subulatomonas) and arthropod families (Folsomia, Sarcophagidae Opomyzoidea, and Anomura) appeared to be positively associated with residual oil pollution. eDNA metabarcoding can provide a powerful tool for assessing effects of anthropogenic pollution, such as oil spills on sediment communities and its long-term trends in coastal marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Jianghua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Seonjin Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjin Hong
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - John P Giesy
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Un Hyuk Yim
- Oil and POPs Research Group, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), Geoje, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Joon Shim
- Oil and POPs Research Group, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), Geoje, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Rietl AJ, Sorrentino MG, Roberts BJ. Spatial distribution and morphological responses to predation in the salt marsh periwinkle. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Rietl
- College of William and Mary; Virginia Institute of Marine Science; P.O. Box 1346 Gloucester Point Virginia 23062 USA
| | - Madelyn G. Sorrentino
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources; University of Vermont; Burlington Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Brian J. Roberts
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium; Chauvin Louisiana 70344 USA
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22
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Bam W, Hooper-Bui LM, Strecker RM, Adhikari PL, Overton EB. Coupled effects of oil spill and hurricane on saltmarsh terrestrial arthropods. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194941. [PMID: 29641552 PMCID: PMC5895010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial arthropods play an important role in saltmarsh ecosystems, mainly affecting the saltmarsh’s primary production as the main consumers of terrestrial primary production and decomposition. Some of these arthropods, including selected insects and spiders, can be used as ecological indicators of overall marsh environmental health, as they are differentially sensitive to ecological stressors, such as land loss, erosion, oil spills, and tropical storms. In the present study, we used terrestrial arthropods collected from seven (three lightly-oiled, four heavily-oiled) sites in Barataria Bay and from three unoiled reference sites in Delacroix, Louisiana, to determine the impacts of the distribution and re-distribution of Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil on these saltmarsh ecosystems. A total of 9,476 and 12,256 insects were collected in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The results show that the terrestrial arthropods were negatively affected by the re-distribution of DWH oil by Hurricane Isaac in 2012, although the level of impacts varied among the arthropod groups. Moreover, the mean diversity index was higher (>1.5) in 2014 than in 2013 (<1.5) for all sites, suggesting a recovery trajectory of the saltmarsh arthropod population. The higher taxonomic richness observed in the reference sites compared to the oiled sites for both years also indicated long-term impacts of DWH oil to the saltmarsh arthropod community. Whereas a slow recovery of certain terrestrial arthropods was observed, long-term monitoring of arthropod communities would help better understand the recovery and succession of the marsh ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wokil Bam
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Linda M. Hooper-Bui
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Strecker
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, United States of America
| | - Puspa L. Adhikari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, United States of America
| | - Edward B. Overton
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, United States of America
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Tarrant AM, Payton SL, Reitzel AM, Porter DT, Jenny MJ. Ultraviolet radiation significantly enhances the molecular response to dispersant and sweet crude oil exposure in Nematostella vectensis. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 134:96-108. [PMID: 29336831 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Estuarine organisms are subjected to combinations of anthropogenic and natural stressors, which together can reduce an organisms' ability to respond to either stress or can potentiate or synergize the cellular impacts for individual stressors. Nematostella vectensis (starlet sea anemone) is a useful model for investigating novel and evolutionarily conserved cellular and molecular responses to environmental stress. Using RNA-seq, we assessed global changes in gene expression in Nematostella in response to dispersant and/or sweet crude oil exposure alone or combined with ultraviolet radiation (UV). A total of 110 transcripts were differentially expressed by dispersant and/or crude oil exposure, primarily dominated by the down-regulation of 74 unique transcripts in the dispersant treatment. In contrast, UV exposure alone or combined with dispersant and/or oil resulted in the differential expression of 1133 transcripts, of which 436 were shared between all four treatment combinations. Most significant was the differential expression of 531 transcripts unique to one or more of the combined UV/chemical exposures. Main categories of genes affected by one or more of the treatments included enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and transport, DNA repair enzymes, and general stress response genes conserved among vertebrates and invertebrates. However, the most interesting observation was the induction of several transcripts indicating de novo synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids and other novel cellular antioxidants. Together, our data suggest that the toxicity of oil and/or dispersant and the complexity of the molecular response are significantly enhanced by UV exposure, which may co-occur for shallow water species like Nematostella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Tarrant
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Samantha L Payton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Adam M Reitzel
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Danielle T Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Matthew J Jenny
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
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Franco ME, Felgenhauer BE, Klerks PL. Crude oil toxicity to fiddler crabs (Uca longisignalis and Uca panacea) from the northern Gulf of Mexico: Impacts on bioturbation, oxidative stress, and histology of the hepatopancreas. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:491-500. [PMID: 28892204 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The intensive drilling and extraction of fossil fuels in the Gulf of Mexico result in a considerable risk of oil spills impacting its coastal ecosystems. Impacts are more likely to be far-reaching if the oil affects ecosystem engineers like fiddler crabs, whose activities modify biogeochemical processes in the sediment. The present study investigated effects of oil on the fiddler crabs Uca longisignalis and Uca panacea, which are important as ecosystem engineers and as prey for a wide variety of species. The present study used mesocosms and microcosms to investigate the effects of crude oil on fiddler crab burrowing and to assess cellular and tissue damage by the oil. Fiddler crabs were exposed for periods of 5 or 10 d to oil concentrations up to 55 mg/cm2 on the sediment surface. Their burrowing was delayed, their burrows were smaller, and they transported less sediment in the presence of oil. The hepatopancreas had elevated levels of oxidative stress and a higher abundance of blister cells, which play a role in secretory processes. Interspecific differences were observed; most effects were strongest in U. panacea, though burrowing was more strongly affected in U. longisignalis. The present study demonstrates that crude oil is likely to impact fiddler crabs and many species that depend on them for their diet or for the ecological changes that result from their burrowing. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:491-500. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco E Franco
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
| | - Bruce E Felgenhauer
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
| | - Paul L Klerks
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
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25
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Savage AM, Youngsteadt E, Ernst AF, Powers SA, Dunn RR, Frank SD. Homogenizing an urban habitat mosaic: arthropod diversity declines in New York City parks after Super Storm Sandy. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 28:225-236. [PMID: 29281147 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The frequency and intensity of hurricanes are increasing globally, and anthropogenic modifications in cities have created systems that may be particularly vulnerable to their negative effects. Organisms living in cities are exposed to variable levels of chronic environmental stress. However, whether chronic stress ameliorates or exacerbates the negative effects of hurricanes remains an open question. Here, we consider two hypotheses about the simultaneous consequences of acute disturbances from hurricanes and chronic stress from urbanization for the structure of urban arthropod communities. The tipping point hypothesis posits that organisms living in high stress habitats are less resilient than those in low stress habitats because they are living near the limits of their environmental tolerances; while the disturbance tolerance hypothesis posits that high stress habitats host organisms pre-adapted for coping with disturbance, making them more resilient to the effects of storms. We used a before-after-control-impact design in the street medians and city parks of Manhattan (New York City, New York, USA) to compare arthropod communities before and after Super Storm Sandy in sites that were flooded and unflooded during the storm. Our evidence supported the disturbance tolerance hypothesis. Significant compositional differences between street medians and city parks before the storm disappeared after the storm; similarly, unflooded city parks had significantly different arthropod composition while flooded sites were indistinguishable. These differences were driven by reduced occurrences and abundances of arthropods in city parks. Finally, those arthropod groups that were most tolerant to urban stress were also the most tolerant to flooding. Our results suggest that the species that survive in high stress environments are likely to be the ones that thrive in response to acute disturbance. As storms become increasingly common and extreme, this juxtaposition in responses to storm-associated disturbance may lead to diversity loss in cities, potentially leading entire urban landscapes to mirror the reduced diversity of street medians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Savage
- Department of Biology, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Waterfront Technology Center, Rutgers University, 200 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey, 08103, USA
| | - Elsa Youngsteadt
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7617, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
| | - Andrew F Ernst
- BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, USA
| | - Shelby A Powers
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Boulevard, Greenville, North Carolina, 27834, USA
| | - Robert R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7617, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
| | - Steven D Frank
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7617, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
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Deis DR, Fleeger JW, Bourgoin SM, Mendelssohn IA, Lin Q, Hou A. Shoreline oiling effects and recovery of salt marsh macroinvertebrates from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3680. [PMID: 28828273 PMCID: PMC5563157 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Salt marshes in northern Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA were oiled, sometimes heavily, in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Previous studies indicate that fiddler crabs (in the genus Uca) and the salt marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) were negatively impacted in the short term by the spill. Here, we detail longer-term effects and recovery from moderate and heavy oiling over a 3-year span, beginning 30 months after the spill. Although neither fiddler crab burrow density nor diameter differed between oiled and reference sites when combined across all sampling events, these traits differed among some individual sampling periods consistent with a pattern of lingering oiling impacts. Periwinkle density, however, increased in all oiling categories and shell-length groups during our sampling period, and periwinkle densities were consistently highest at moderately oiled sites where Spartina alterniflora aboveground biomass was highest. Periwinkle shell length linearly increased from a mean of 16.5 to 19.2 mm over the study period at reference sites. In contrast, shell lengths at moderately oiled and heavily oiled sites increased through month 48 after the spill, but then decreased. This decrease was associated with a decline in the relative abundance of large adults (shell length 21-26 mm) at oiled sites which was likely caused by chronic hydrocarbon toxicity or oil-induced effects on habitat quality or food resources. Overall, the recovery of S. alterniflora facilitated the recovery of fiddler crabs and periwinkles. However, our long-term record not only indicates that variation in periwinkle mean shell length and length-frequency distributions are sensitive indicators of the health and recovery of the marsh, but agrees with synoptic studies of vegetation and infaunal communities that full recovery of heavily oiled sites will take longer than 66 months.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John W Fleeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - Irving A Mendelssohn
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Qianxin Lin
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Aixin Hou
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Olin JA, Bergeon Burns CM, Woltmann S, Taylor SS, Stouffer PC, Bam W, Hooper-Bui L, Turner RE. Seaside Sparrows reveal contrasting food web responses to large-scale stressors in coastal Louisiana saltmarshes. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jill A. Olin
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - Christine M. Bergeon Burns
- School of Renewable Natural Resources; Louisiana State University AgCenter; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - Stefan Woltmann
- Department of Biology and Center of Excellence for Field Biology; Austin Peay State University; Clarksville Tennessee 37044 USA
| | - Sabrina S. Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources; Louisiana State University AgCenter; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - Philip C. Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources; Louisiana State University AgCenter; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - Wokil Bam
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - Linda Hooper-Bui
- Department of Environmental Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - R. Eugene Turner
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
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28
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López-Duarte PC, Fodrie FJ, Jensen OP, Whitehead A, Galvez F, Dubansky B, Able KW. Is Exposure to Macondo Oil Reflected in the Otolith Chemistry of Marsh-Resident Fish? PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162699. [PMID: 27682216 PMCID: PMC5040417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic and physiological responses in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) in the northern Gulf of Mexico have confirmed oil exposure of resident marsh fish following the Macondo blowout in 2010. Using these same fish, we evaluated otolith microchemistry as a method for assessing oil exposure history. Laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry was used to analyze the chemical composition of sagittal otoliths to assess whether a trace metal signature could be detected in the otoliths of F. grandis collected from a Macondo-oil impacted site in 2010, post-spill relative to pre-spill, as well as versus fish from areas not impacted by the spill. We found no evidence of increased concentrations of two elements associated with oil contamination (nickel and vanadium) in F. grandis otoliths regardless of Macondo oil exposure history. One potential explanation for this is that Macondo oil is relatively depleted of those metals compared to other crude oils globally. During and after the spill, however, elevated levels of barium, lead, and to a lesser degree, copper were detected in killifish otoliths at the oil-impacted collection site in coastal Louisiana. This may reflect oil contact or other environmental perturbations that occurred concomitant with oiling. For example, increases in barium in otoliths from oil-exposed fish followed (temporally) freshwater diversions in Louisiana in 2010. This implicates (but does not conclusively demonstrate) freshwater diversions from the Mississippi River (with previously recorded higher concentrations of lead and copper), designed to halt the ingress of oil, as a mechanism for elevated elemental uptake in otoliths of Louisiana marsh fishes. These results highlight the potentially complex and indirect effects of the Macondo oil spill and human responses to it on Gulf of Mexico ecosystems, and emphasize the need to consider the multiple stressors acting simultaneously on inshore fish communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola C. López-Duarte
- Rutgers University Marine Field Station, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Tuckerton, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - F. Joel Fodrie
- Institute of Marine Sciences & Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Olaf P. Jensen
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Andrew Whitehead
- Environmental Toxicology Department, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Fernando Galvez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Dubansky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kenneth W. Able
- Rutgers University Marine Field Station, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Tuckerton, New Jersey, United States of America
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29
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Zengel S, Montague CL, Pennings SC, Powers SP, Steinhoff M, Fricano G, Schlemme C, Zhang M, Oehrig J, Nixon Z, Rouhani S, Michel J. Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Salt Marsh Periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:643-652. [PMID: 26713547 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Deepwater Horizon was the largest marine oil spill in U.S. waters, oiling large expanses of coastal wetland shorelines. We compared marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) density and shell length at salt marsh sites with heavy oiling to reference conditions ∼16 months after oiling. We also compared periwinkle density and size among oiled sites with and without shoreline cleanup treatments. Densities of periwinkles were reduced by 80-90% at the oiled marsh edge and by 50% in the oiled marsh interior (∼9 m inland) compared to reference, with greatest numerical losses of periwinkles in the marsh interior, where densities were naturally higher. Shoreline cleanup further reduced adult snail density as well as snail size. Based on the size of adult periwinkles observed coupled with age and growth information, population recovery is projected to take several years once oiling and habitat conditions in affected areas are suitable to support normal periwinkle life-history functions. Where heavily oiled marshes have experienced accelerated erosion as a result of the spill, these habitat impacts would represent additional losses of periwinkles. Losses of marsh periwinkles would likely affect other ecosystem processes and attributes, including organic matter and nutrient cycling, marsh-estuarine food chains, and multiple species that prey on periwinkles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Zengel
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), Tallahassee, Florida 32303, United States
| | - Clay L Montague
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Steven C Pennings
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston , Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Sean P Powers
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama and Dauphin Island Sea Lab , Mobile, Alabama 36688, United States
| | - Marla Steinhoff
- Assessment and Restoration Division, Office of Response and Restoration, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) , Seattle, Washington 98115, United States
| | - Gail Fricano
- Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Claire Schlemme
- Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Mengni Zhang
- NewFields, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, United States
| | - Jacob Oehrig
- NewFields, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, United States
| | - Zachary Nixon
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), Columbia, South Carolina 29201, United States
| | | | - Jacqueline Michel
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), Columbia, South Carolina 29201, United States
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30
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Husseneder C, Donaldson JR, Foil LD. Impact of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on population size and genetic structure of horse flies in Louisiana marshes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:18968. [PMID: 26755069 PMCID: PMC4709594 DOI: 10.1038/srep18968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The greenhead horse fly, Tabanus nigrovittatus Macquart, is frequently found in coastal marshes of the Eastern United States. The greenhead horse fly larvae are top predators in the marsh and thus vulnerable to changes in the environment, and the adults potentially are attracted to polarized surfaces like oil. Therefore, horse fly populations could serve as bioindicators of marsh health and toxic effects of oil intrusion. In this study, we describe the impact of the April 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on tabanid population abundance and genetics as well as mating structure. Horse fly populations were sampled biweekly from oiled and unaffected locations immediately after the oil spill in June 2010 until October 2011. Horse fly abundance estimates showed severe crashes of tabanid populations in oiled areas. Microsatellite genotyping of six pristine and seven oiled populations at ten polymorphic loci detected genetic bottlenecks in six of the oiled populations in association with fewer breeding parents, reduced effective population size, lower number of family clusters and fewer migrants among populations. This is the first study assessing the impact of oil contamination at the level of a top arthropod predator of the invertebrate community in salt marshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Husseneder
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Jennifer R Donaldson
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Lane D Foil
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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31
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Guidi G, Sliskovic M, Violante AC, Vukic L. Best available techniques (BATs) for oil spill response in the Mediterranean Sea: calm sea and presence of economic activities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:1944-1953. [PMID: 26498811 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5543-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
An oil spill is the accidental or intentional discharge of petroleum products into the environment due to human activities. Although oil spills are actually just a little percent of the total world oil pollution problem, they represent the most visible form of it. The impact on the ecosystems can be severe as well as the impact on economic activities. Oil spill cleanup is a very difficult and expensive activity, and many techniques are available for it. In previous works, a methodology based on different kinds of criteria in order to come to the most satisfactory technique was proposed and the relative importance of each impact criterion on the basis of the Saaty's Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was also evaluated. After a review of the best available techniques (BATs) available for oil spill response, this work suggests criteria for BATs' selection when oil spills occur in the Mediterranean Sea under well-defined circumstances: calm sea and presence of economic activities in the affected area. A group of experts with different specializations evaluated the alternative BATs by means of AHP method taking into account their respective advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giambattista Guidi
- Energy Technologies Department, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy.
| | - Merica Sliskovic
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Zrinsko-Frankopanska 38, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | | | - Luka Vukic
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Zrinsko-Frankopanska 38, 21000, Split, Croatia
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32
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United States Gulf of Mexico Coastal Marsh Vegetation Responses and Sensitivities to Oil Spill: A Review. ENVIRONMENTS 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/environments2040586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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33
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Effects of Oil-Contaminated Sediments on Submerged Vegetation: An Experimental Assessment of Ruppia maritima. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138797. [PMID: 26430971 PMCID: PMC4592016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oil spills threaten the productivity of ecosystems through the degradation of coastal flora and the ecosystem services these plants provide. While lab and field investigations have quantified the response of numerous species of emergent vegetation to oil, the effects on submerged vegetation remain uncertain. Here, we discuss the implications of oil exposure for Ruppia maritima, one of the most common species of submerged vegetation found in the region affected by the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We grew R. maritima in a range of manipulated sediment oil concentrations: 0, 0.26, 0.53, and 1.05 mL oil /L tank volume, and tracked changes in growth (wet weight and shoot density/length), reproductive activity (inflorescence and seed production), root characteristics (mass, length, diameter, and area), and uprooting force of plants. While no statistical differences were detected in growth, plants exhibited significant changes to reproductive output, root morphology, and uprooting force. We found significant reductions in inflorescences and fruiting bodies at higher oil concentrations. In addition, the roots growing in the high oil were shorter and wider. Plants in medium and high oil required less force to uproot. A second experiment was performed to separate the effects of root morphology and oiled sediment properties and indicated that there were also changes to sediment cohesion that contributed to a reduction in uprooting forces in medium and high oil. Given the importance of sexual reproduction for these plants, oil contamination may have substantial population-level effects. Moreover, areas containing buried oil may be more susceptible to high energy storm events due to the reduction in uprooting force of foundation species such as R. maritima.
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34
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Brown-Peterson NJ, Krasnec M, Takeshita R, Ryan CN, Griffitt KJ, Lay C, Mayer GD, Bayha KM, Hawkins WE, Lipton I, Morris J, Griffitt RJ. A multiple endpoint analysis of the effects of chronic exposure to sediment contaminated with Deepwater Horizon oil on juvenile Southern flounder and their associated microbiomes. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 165:197-209. [PMID: 26092636 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to oiled sediments can negatively impact the health of fish species. Here, we examine the effects of chronic exposure of juvenile southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, to a sediment-oil mixture. Oil:sediment mixtures are persistent over time and can become bioavailable following sediment perturbation or resuspension. Juvenile flounder were exposed for 32 days under controlled laboratory conditions to five concentrations of naturally weathered Macondo MC252 oil mixed into uncontaminated, field-collected sediments. The percent composition of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of the weathered oil did not change after mixing with the sediment. Spiked exposure sediments contained 0.04-395mg/kg tPAH50 (sum of 50 individual PAH concentration measurements). Mortality increased with both exposure duration and concentration of sediment-associated PAHs, and flounder exposed to concentrations above 8mg/kg tPAH50 showed significantly reduced growth over the course of the experiment. Evident histopathologic changes were observed in liver and gill tissues of fish exposed to more than 8mg/kg tPAH50. All fish at these concentrations showed hepatic intravascular congestion, macrovesicular hepatic vacoulation, telangiectasia of secondary lamellae, and lamellar epithelial proliferation in gill tissues. Dose-dependent upregulation of Cyp1a expression in liver tissues was observed. Taxonomic analysis of gill and intestinal commensal bacterial assemblages showed that exposure to oiled sediments led to distinct shifts in commensal bacterial population structures. These data show that chronic exposure to environmentally-relevant concentrations of oiled sediments produces adverse effects in flounder at multiple biological levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Brown-Peterson
- Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, MS 39564, United States.
| | - Michelle Krasnec
- Abt Associates, 1881 Ninth Street, Suite 201, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States.
| | - Ryan Takeshita
- Abt Associates, 1881 Ninth Street, Suite 201, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States.
| | - Caitlin N Ryan
- The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States.
| | - Kimberly J Griffitt
- Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, MS 39564, United States.
| | - Claire Lay
- Abt Associates, 1881 Ninth Street, Suite 201, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States.
| | - Gregory D Mayer
- The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States.
| | - Keith M Bayha
- Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, MS 39564, United States.
| | - William E Hawkins
- Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, MS 39564, United States.
| | - Ian Lipton
- Abt Associates, 1881 Ninth Street, Suite 201, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States.
| | - Jeffrey Morris
- Abt Associates, 1881 Ninth Street, Suite 201, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States.
| | - Robert J Griffitt
- Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, MS 39564, United States.
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35
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Zengel S, Bernik BM, Rutherford N, Nixon Z, Michel J. Heavily Oiled Salt Marsh following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Ecological Comparisons of Shoreline Cleanup Treatments and Recovery. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26200349 PMCID: PMC4511762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected hundreds of kilometers of coastal wetland shorelines, including salt marshes with persistent heavy oiling that required intensive shoreline “cleanup” treatment. Oiled marsh treatment involves a delicate balance among: removing oil, speeding the degradation of remaining oil, protecting wildlife, fostering habitat recovery, and not causing further ecological damage with treatment. To examine the effectiveness and ecological effects of treatment during the emergency response, oiling characteristics and ecological parameters were compared over two years among heavily oiled test plots subject to: manual treatment, mechanical treatment, natural recovery (no treatment, oiled control), as well as adjacent reference conditions. An additional experiment compared areas with and without vegetation planting following treatment. Negative effects of persistent heavy oiling on marsh vegetation, intertidal invertebrates, and shoreline erosion were observed. In areas without treatment, oiling conditions and negative effects for most marsh parameters did not considerably improve over two years. Both manual and mechanical treatment were effective at improving oiling conditions and vegetation characteristics, beginning the recovery process, though recovery was not complete by two years. Mechanical treatment had additional negative effects of mixing oil into the marsh soils and further accelerating erosion. Manual treatment appeared to strike the right balance between improving oiling and habitat conditions while not causing additional detrimental effects. However, even with these improvements, marsh periwinkle snails showed minimal signs of recovery through two years, suggesting that some ecosystem components may lag vegetation recovery. Planting following treatment quickened vegetation recovery and reduced shoreline erosion. Faced with comparable marsh oiling in the future, we would recommend manual treatment followed by planting. We caution against the use of intensive treatment methods with lesser marsh oiling. Oiled controls (no treatment “set-asides”) are essential for judging marsh treatment effectiveness and ecological effects; we recommend their use when applying intensive treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Zengel
- Emergency Response Division, Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brittany M. Bernik
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Nicolle Rutherford
- Emergency Response Division, Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Zachary Nixon
- Emergency Response Division, Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Michel
- Emergency Response Division, Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
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36
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Turner RE, Overton EB, Meyer BM, Miles MS, McClenachan G, Hooper-Bui L, Engel AS, Swenson EM, Lee JM, Milan CS, Gao H. Distribution and recovery trajectory of Macondo (Mississippi Canyon 252) oil in Louisiana coastal wetlands. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 87:57-67. [PMID: 25176275 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We measured the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in 405 wetland sediment samples immediately before the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster led to their broad-scale oiling, and on nine trips afterwards. The average concentrations of alkanes and PAHs were 604 and 186 times the pre-spill baseline values, respectively. Oil was distributed with some attenuation up to 100m inland from the shoreline for alkanes, but increased for aromatics, and was not well-circumscribed by the rapid shoreline assessments (a.k.a. SCAT) of relative oiling. The concentrations of target alkanes and PAHs in June 2013 were about 1% and 5%, respectively, of the February 2011 concentrations, but remained at 3.7 and 33 times higher, respectively, than in May 2010. A recovery to baseline conditions suggests that the concentration of alkanes may be near baseline values by the end of 2015, but that it may take decades for the PAH concentrations to be that low.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Eugene Turner
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
| | - Edward B Overton
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Buffy M Meyer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - M Scott Miles
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Giovanna McClenachan
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Linda Hooper-Bui
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Annette Summers Engel
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Erick M Swenson
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - James M Lee
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Charles S Milan
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Heng Gao
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
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37
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van der Ham JL, de Mutsert K. Abundance and size of Gulf shrimp in Louisiana's coastal estuaries following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108884. [PMID: 25272142 PMCID: PMC4182747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacted Louisiana's coastal estuaries physically, chemically, and biologically. To better understand the ecological consequences of this oil spill on Louisiana estuaries, we compared the abundance and size of two Gulf shrimp species (Farfantepeneus aztecus and Litopeneus setiferus) in heavily affected and relatively unaffected estuaries, before and after the oil spill. Two datasets were used to conduct this study: data on shrimp abundance and size before the spill were available from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Data on shrimp abundance and size from after the spill were independently collected by the authors and by LDWF. Using a Before-After-Control-Impact with Paired sampling (BACIP) design with monthly samples of two selected basins, we found brown shrimp to become more abundant and the mean size of white shrimp to become smaller. Using a BACIP with data on successive shrimp year-classes of multiple basins, we found both species to become more abundant in basins that were affected by the spill, while mean shrimp size either not change after the spill, or increased in both affected and unaffected basins. We conclude that following the oil spill abundances of both species increased within affected estuaries, whereas mean size may have been unaffected. We propose two factors that may have caused these results: 1) exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may have reduced the growth rate of shrimp, resulting in a delayed movement of shrimp to offshore habitats, and an increase of within-estuary shrimp abundance, and 2) fishing closures established immediately after the spill, may have resulted in decreased fishing effort and an increase in shrimp abundance. This study accentuates the complexities in determining ecological effects of oil spills, and the need of studies on the organismal level to reveal cause-and-effect relationships of such events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris L. van der Ham
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kim de Mutsert
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
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38
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Bergeon Burns CM, Olin JA, Woltmann S, Stouffer PC, Taylor SS. Effects of Oil on Terrestrial Vertebrates: Predicting Impacts of the Macondo Blowout. Bioscience 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biu124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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39
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Pennings SC, McCall BD, Hooper-Bui L. Effects of Oil Spills on Terrestrial Arthropods in Coastal Wetlands. Bioscience 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biu118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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40
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Fodrie FJ, Able KW, Galvez F, Heck KL, Jensen OP, López-Duarte PC, Martin CW, Turner RE, Whitehead A. Integrating Organismal and Population Responses of Estuarine Fishes in Macondo Spill Research. Bioscience 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biu123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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41
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Monitoring Forest Change in Landscapes Under-Going Rapid Energy Development: Challenges and New Perspectives. LAND 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/land3030617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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42
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Lee LH, Lin HJ. Effects of an oil spill on benthic community production and respiration on subtropical intertidal sandflats. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 73:291-299. [PMID: 23743269 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This study determined effects of an oil spill on subtropical benthic community production and respiration by monitoring CO2 fluxes in benthic chambers on intertidal sandflats during emersion before and after an accidental spill. The oil spill decreased sediment chlorophyll a concentrations, altered benthic macrofaunal community, and affected ecological functioning by suppressing or even stopping microalgal production, increasing bacterial respiration, and causing a shift from an autotrophic system to a heterotrophic system. Effects of the oil spill on the macrofauna were more severe than on benthic microalgae, and affected sedentary infauna more than motile epifauna. Despite the oil spill's impact on the benthic community and carbon metabolism, the affected area appeared to return to normal in about 23 days. Our results suggest that the prompt response of benthic metabolism to exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons can serve as a useful indicator of the impact of an oil spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Lee
- Endemic Species Research Institute, Jiji, Nantou 552, Taiwan
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43
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Macreadie PI, Hughes AR, Kimbro DL. Loss of 'blue carbon' from coastal salt marshes following habitat disturbance. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69244. [PMID: 23861964 PMCID: PMC3704532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased recognition of the global importance of salt marshes as ‘blue carbon’ (C) sinks has led to concern that salt marshes could release large amounts of stored C into the atmosphere (as CO2) if they continue undergoing disturbance, thereby accelerating climate change. Empirical evidence of C release following salt marsh habitat loss due to disturbance is rare, yet such information is essential for inclusion of salt marshes in greenhouse gas emission reduction and offset schemes. Here we investigated the stability of salt marsh (Spartinaalterniflora) sediment C levels following seagrass (Thallasiatestudinum) wrack accumulation; a form of disturbance common throughout the world that removes large areas of plant biomass in salt marshes. At our study site (St Joseph Bay, Florida, USA), we recorded 296 patches (7.5 ± 2.3 m2 mean area ± SE) of vegetation loss (aged 3-12 months) in a salt marsh meadow the size of a soccer field (7 275 m2). Within these disturbed patches, levels of organic C in the subsurface zone (1-5 cm depth) were ~30% lower than the surrounding undisturbed meadow. Subsequent analyses showed that the decline in subsurface C levels in disturbed patches was due to loss of below-ground plant (salt marsh) biomass, which otherwise forms the main component of the long-term ‘refractory’ C stock. We conclude that disturbance to salt marsh habitat due to wrack accumulation can cause significant release of below-ground C; which could shift salt marshes from C sinks to C sources, depending on the intensity and scale of disturbance. This mechanism of C release is likely to increase in the future due to sea level rise; which could increase wrack production due to increasing storminess, and will facilitate delivery of wrack into salt marsh zones due to higher and more frequent inundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter I Macreadie
- Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster (C3), School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), New South Wales, Australia.
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44
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Moody RM, Cebrian J, Heck KL. Interannual recruitment dynamics for resident and transient marsh species: evidence for a lack of impact by the Macondo oil spill. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58376. [PMID: 23516467 PMCID: PMC3596379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emulsification of oil at the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) well head relegated a large proportion of resultant hydrocarbon plumes to the deep sea, facilitated the incorporation of oil droplets into microbial and planktonic food web, and limited the severity of direct, wetland oiling to coastal Louisiana. Nevertheless, many transient fish and invertebrate species rely on offshore surface waters for egg and larval transport before settling in coastal habitats, thereby potentially impacting the recruitment of transient species to coastal nursery habitats quite distant from the well site. We compared the utilization of salt-marsh habitats by transient and resident nekton before and after the DWH accident using data obtained from an oyster reef restoration project in coastal Alabama. Our sampling activities began in the summer preceding the DWH spill and continued almost two years following the accident. Overall, we did not find significant differences in the recruitment of marsh-associated resident and transient nekton in coastal Alabama following the DWH accident. Our results, therefore, provide little evidence for severe acute or persistent oil-induced impacts on organisms that complete their life cycle within the estuary and those that spent portions of their life history in potentially contaminated offshore surface waters prior to their recruitment to nearshore habitats. Our negative findings are consistent with other assessments of nekton in coastal vegetated habitats and bolster the notion that, despite the presence of localized hydrocarbon enrichments in coastal habitats outside of Louisiana the most severe oil impacts were relegated to coastal Louisiana and the deep sea. Analyzing all the information learned from this accident will undoubtedly provide a synthesis of what has or has not been affected in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, which when put in context with oil spill studies elsewhere should improve our ability to avert and manage the negative consequences of such accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Moody
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, Alabama, USA.
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