Influence of sediment characteristics on the composition of soft-sediment intertidal communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Benthic infaunal communities are important components of coastal ecosystems. Understanding the relationships between the structure of these communities and characteristics of the habitat in which they live is becoming progressively more important as coastal systems face increasing stress from anthropogenic impacts and changes in climate. To examine how sediment characteristics and infaunal community composition were related along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast, we sampled intertidal infaunal communities at seven sites covering common habitat types at a regional scale. Across 69 samples, the communities clustered into four distinct groups on the basis of faunal composition. Nearly 70% of the variation in the composition of the communities was explained by salinity, median grain size, and total organic content. Our results suggest that at a regional level coarse habitat characteristics are able to explain a large amount of the variation among sites in infaunal community structure. By examining the relationships between infaunal communities and their sedimentary habitats, we take a necessary first step that will allow the exploration of how changes in habitat and community composition influence higher trophic levels and ecosystem scale processes

Acute health effects of the Tasman Spirit oil spill on residents of Karachi, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: On July 27 2003, a ship carrying crude oil run aground near Karachi and after two weeks released 37,000 tons of its cargo into the sea. Oil on the coastal areas and fumes in air raised health concerns among people. We assessed the immediate health impact of oil spill from the tanker Tasman Spirit on residents of the affected coastline in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted a study consisting of an exposed group including adults living in houses on the affected shoreline and two control groups (A and B) who lived at the distance of 2 km and 20 km away from the sea, respectively. We selected households through systematic sampling and interviewed an adult male and female in each household about symptoms relating to eyes, respiratory tract, skin and nervous system, smoking, allergies, beliefs about the effect on their health and anxiety about the health effects. We used logistic regression procedures to model each symptom as an outcome and the exposure status as an independent variable while adjusting for confounders. We also used linear regression procedure to assess the relationship exposure status with symptoms score; calculated by summation of all symptoms. RESULTS: Overall 400 subjects were interviewed (exposed, n = 216; group A, n = 83; and group B, n = 101). The exposed group reported a higher occurrence of one or more symptoms compared to either of the control groups (exposed, 96% vs. group A, 70%, group B 85%; P < 0.001). Mean summary symptom scores were higher among the exposed group (14.5) than control group A (4.5) and control group B (3.8, P < 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that there were statistically significant, moderate-to-strong associations (Prevalence ORs (POR) ranging from 2.3 to 37.0) between the exposed group and the symptoms. There was a trend of decreasing symptom-specific PORs with increase in distance from the spill site. Multiple linear regression model revealed strong relationship of exposure status with the symptoms score (β = 8.24, 95% CI: 6.37 – 10.12). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the occurrence of increased symptoms among the exposed group is more likely to be due to exposure to the crude oil spill

In situ fluorescence measurements of dissolved organic matter: a review

YesThere is a need for an inexpensive, reliable and fast monitoring tool to detect contaminants in a short time, for quick mitigation of pollution sources and site remediation, and for characterization of natural dissolved organic matter (DOM). Fluorescence spectroscopy has proven to be an excellent technique in quantifying aquatic DOM, from autochthonous, allochthonous or anthropogenic sources. This paper reviews the advances in in situ fluorescence measurements of DOM and pollutants in various water environments. Studies have demonstrated, using high temporal-frequency DOM fluorescence data, that marine autochthonous production of DOM is highly complex and that the allochthonous input of DOM from freshwater to marine water can be predicted. Furthermore, river measurement studies found a delayed fluorescence response of DOM following precipitation compared to turbidity and discharge, with various lags, depending on season, site and input of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. In addition, research has shown that blue light fluorescence (λemission = 430–500 nm) can be a good proxy for DOC, in environments with terrestrial inputs, and ultraviolet fluorescence (λemission = UVA–320–400 nm) for biochemical oxygen demand, and also E. coli in environments with sanitation issues. The correction of raw fluorescence data improves the relationship between fluorescence intensity and these parameters. This review also presents the specific steps and parameters that must be considered before and during in situ fluorescence measurement session for a harmonized qualitative and quantitative protocol. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the research on in situ fluorescence are identified.Authors, E.M. Carstea and C.L. Popa, acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Research and Innovation, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-0646, within PNCDI III, project number 18N/2019, under the Core Program OPTRONICA VI, project number 19PFE/17.10.2018 and project number 152/2016, SMIS 108109

Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program: deliverables 1996 and selected abstracts and bibliography of international oil spill research, 1997

1 CD-ROMEvaluation of habitat response to in situ burning as a method of oil removal by Charles W. Lindau, S. Reza Pezeshki, Ronald D. DeLaune; Evaluation of habitat sensitivity to oiling: use of cleaners for removing oil from vegetation by Ronald D. DeLaune, Aroon Jugsujinda, S. Reza Pexeshki; Biodegradation of toxic chemicals from petroleum and produced waters, brackish marsh sediments: pathway studies and degradation rates using deuterated standards by W. James Catallo, Thomas Junk; Oil resource atlas for Louisiana: creating and maintaining a focused baseline for oil spill response by Robert Gramling, Craig Forsyth, George Woddell; Assessment of ammoniated organic wastes for remediation of wetland soils contaminated with crude oil by Gary A. Britenbeck, Anada P. DeSilva; Evaluation and characterization of sorbents in removal of oil spills by Ali Ghalambor; Bioremediation protocol for small-scale oil spills in Louisiana marshes by Gary W. Childers, Keith Bancroft, Gary Shaffer; Oil spill awareness through geoscience education by Gary L. Stringer, Mervin Kontrovitz; Merging landsat thematic mapper satellite imagery and airborne synthetic aperture radar to facilitate coastline delineation by Anthony J. Lewis, Dewitt H. Braud, Jr. and Bret M. Territo; Environmental effects and effectiveness of in situ burning in wetlands: guidelines for oil spill cleanup by Irving A. Mendelssohn, Mark W. Hester, James W. Pahl; Effects of oil and chemical responses on fresh marsh function and oil degradation: response implications by John Andrew Nyman, William H. Patrick, Jr.; Potential impact of used oil recycling in Louisiana's coastal fishing communities by Rodney D. Adams.http://gbic.tamug.edu/request.ht

Selected Abstracts &amp; Bibliography of International Oil Spill Research, through 1998

Compiled by the Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research &amp; Development Program Electronic Bibliography, Baton Rouge, Louisian

Selected Abstracts &amp; Bibliography of International Oil Spill Research, through 1998

Compiled by the Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research &amp; Development Program Electronic Bibliography, Baton Rouge, Louisian

National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill and Offshore Drilling

This website is for the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil SpilUnited States. Office of Fossil Energyl and Offshore Drilling, established by President Barack Obama on May 21, 2010. The Commission examined the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the root causes of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and developed options to guard against, and mitigate the impact of, any oil spills associated with offshore drilling in the future. This included recommending improvements to federal laws, regulations, and industry practices. The website contains detailed information about each of the commission's meetings, the commission's final reports, and other related resources

The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling: Report to the President

On May 22, 2010, President Barack Obama announced the creation of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling: an independent,nonpartisan entity, directed to provide a thorough analysis and impartial judgment. The President charged the Commission to determine the causes of the disaster, and to improve the country’s ability to respond to spills, and to recommend reforms to make offshore energy production safer. This report is the result of an intense six-month effort to fulfill the President’s charge. The Commission’s report offers the President, policymakers, industry, and the American people the fullest account available of the largest oil spill in U.S history: the context for the well itself, how the explosion and spill happened, and how industry and government scrambled to respond to an unprecedented emergency