Marine snow increases the adverse effects of oil on benthic invertebrates

Justine S van Eenennaam; Shokouh Rahsepar; Jagoš R Radović; Thomas B P Oldenburg; Jessica Wonink; Alette A M Langenhoff; Albertinka J Murk; Edwin M Foekema

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.028

Marine snow increases the adverse effects of oil on benthic invertebrates

Mar Pollut Bull. 2018 Jan:126:339-348. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.028. Epub 2017 Nov 22.

Authors

Justine S van Eenennaam¹, Shokouh Rahsepar², Jagoš R Radović³, Thomas B P Oldenburg³, Jessica Wonink⁴, Alette A M Langenhoff², Albertinka J Murk⁴, Edwin M Foekema⁵

Affiliations

¹ Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Justine.vaneenennaam@gmail.com.
² Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
³ PRG, Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, T2N 1N4 Calgary, Canada.
⁴ Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
⁵ Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands; Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands.

PMID: 29421110
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.028

Abstract

After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a MOSSFA (Marine Oil Snow Sedimentation and Flocculent Accumulation) event took place, transporting an estimated 14% of total released oil to the sediment, and smothering parts of the benthic ecosystem. This microcosm study describes the effects of oiled artificial marine snow on benthic macroinvertebrates. Corophium volutator survival was reduced by 80% in oil-contaminated snow. Hydrobia ulvae survival was reduced by 40% in oil-contaminated snow, possibly due to consumption of oiled snow. Macoma balthica was sensitive to marine snow, addition of oil slightly decreased survival. This study reveals trait-dependent sensitivity to oil with or without marine snow. The main drivers for organismal response to marine snow and oil are motility, sensitivity to hypoxia and oil toxicity, and feeding habits. Adverse effects of MOSSFA events on benthos will have consequence for the benthic-pelagic habitat and food chain, and should receive more attention in oil spill management.

Keywords: Benthic invertebrates; MOSSFA; Marine snow; Oil spill; Oil toxicity.

MeSH terms

Animals
Ecosystem
Flocculation
Geologic Sediments
Invertebrates*
Petroleum Pollution / adverse effects*