TY - JOUR
T1 - Smooth or smothering? The self-cleaning potential and photosynthetic effects of oil spill on arctic macro-algae Fucus distichus
AU - Wegeberg, Susse
AU - Hansson, Sophia V.
AU - van Beest, Floris M.
AU - Fritt-Rasmussen, Janne
AU - Gustavson, Kim
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Due to increased sea transport and offshore gas and oil exploration, the Arctic is facing an unprecedented risk of marine oil spills. Although beached oil spills can lead to acute and chronic impacts on intertidal ecosystems, the effects of oil spills on macro-algae in Arctic ecosystems is lacking. Here, we assessed the effect and response of the tidal macro-algae Fucus distichus to oiling, i.e. self-cleaning potential by seawater wash and photosynthetic activity. Oiling with four oil types (ANS, Grane, IFO30 and MGO) was simulated by exposing F. distichus tips to oil. Oil removal half-times ranged between 0.8 - 4.5 days, indicating that oiling of macro-algae with the tested oils was short-term. Further, Grane oil mostly inhibited photosynthetic activity whereas oil from ANS, IFO30 and MGO stimulated it. The photosynthetic activity of F. distichus continued to be affected (inhibited or stimulated), even after oil on the tip surface was washed off.
AB - Due to increased sea transport and offshore gas and oil exploration, the Arctic is facing an unprecedented risk of marine oil spills. Although beached oil spills can lead to acute and chronic impacts on intertidal ecosystems, the effects of oil spills on macro-algae in Arctic ecosystems is lacking. Here, we assessed the effect and response of the tidal macro-algae Fucus distichus to oiling, i.e. self-cleaning potential by seawater wash and photosynthetic activity. Oiling with four oil types (ANS, Grane, IFO30 and MGO) was simulated by exposing F. distichus tips to oil. Oil removal half-times ranged between 0.8 - 4.5 days, indicating that oiling of macro-algae with the tested oils was short-term. Further, Grane oil mostly inhibited photosynthetic activity whereas oil from ANS, IFO30 and MGO stimulated it. The photosynthetic activity of F. distichus continued to be affected (inhibited or stimulated), even after oil on the tip surface was washed off.
KW - Fucus distichus
KW - Oil spill
KW - Photosynthetic activity
KW - Self-cleaning potential
KW - Smothering
KW - Tidal zone
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85074148135&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110604
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110604
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 31671350
AN - SCOPUS:85074148135
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 150
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
M1 - 110604
ER -