Impacts of the ‘Pacific Adventurer’ Oil Spill on the Macrobenthos of Subtropical Sandy Beaches

Thomas Schlacher; Andrew Holzheimer; Tim Stevens; D Rissik

doi:10.1007/s12237-010-9354-6

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Impacts of the ‘Pacific Adventurer’ Oil Spill on the Macrobenthos of Subtropical Sandy Beaches

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Impacts of the ‘Pacific Adventurer’ Oil Spill on the Macrobenthos of Subtropical Sandy Beaches

Thomas Schlacher, Andrew Holzheimer, Tim Stevens and D Rissik

Estuaries and Coasts, Vol.34(5), pp.937-949

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-010-9354-6

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Abstract

oil spill

sandy beaches

macrobenthos

recovery

environmental impact

zonation

Biological impacts of oil on sandy shore ecosystems remain incompletely understood, especially following smaller spills on subtropical beaches. Here we quantified changes to benthic assemblages on a sandy beach following the 270-t spill of heavy fuel oil from the Pacific Adventurer that occurred in March 2009 off Moreton Island in Eastern Australia. Assessments of ecological impacts are based on spatial contrasts between multiple reference and impact sites sampled 1 week and 3 months after the spill. Benthic invertebrate assemblages exposed to oil had significantly fewer individuals of fewer species 1 week after the spill, markedly changing their ecological structure. Biological differences consistent with oil-related mortality were significant on the lower shore and in the swash and remained so 3 months after the spill. This signals a lack of recovery of these communities in the short term, despite the fairly rapid removal of oil. Results show that, despite the relatively small size of the spill, heavy fuel oil contamination can cause substantial impacts on sandy beach ecosystems, and that recovery may be prolonged.

Details

Title: Impacts of the ‘Pacific Adventurer’ Oil Spill on the Macrobenthos of Subtropical Sandy Beaches
Authors: Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Andrew Holzheimer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tim Stevens (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
D Rissik (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Estuaries and Coasts, Vol.34(5), pp.937-949
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1007/s12237-010-9354-6
ISSN: 1559-2723
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449534702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology

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