1. Effects of the MV Rena oil spill on intertidal rocky reefs in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
- Author
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Schiel, DR, South, PM, and Lilley, SA
- Subjects
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OIL pollution of the sea , *LANDFORMS , *ALLUVIAL fans , *MARKET surveys - Abstract
In the weeks following the 2011Renaoil spill, a series of surveys was initiated on eight rocky intertidal reefs to describe the distribution of oil and to assess the impacts of oil on ecological communities. Consistent but relatively low cover of oil occurred at two sites (Mt Maunganui and Moturiki). The area covered by oil had decreased by c. 90% after 5 months due to natural weathering processes. There were immediate effects of oil fouling on the musselLimnoperna pulexand its associated fauna, with reductions in the number of mussels and infaunal taxonomic richness. However, no ecological effects on any of the communities were detectable after 1 month. Overall, the ecological effects of theRenaoil spill on rocky shore intertidal communities were small and not long-lasting, but we stress that this does not consider potential sublethal effects and their consequences on organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2016
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