Environmental assessment and restoration recommendations for a mangrove forest affected by jet fuel

Abstract

A jet fuel spill in Ensenada Honda, Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, was investigated to determine impacts on mangrove communities and to develop a mitigation plan to reverse the damage. The spill caused rapid, widespread damage to mangroves, killing almost sir hectares of forest. Residual contamination of water and sediments was very low. Mitigation recommendations were developed for this incident and other mangrove forests affected by oil spills. The recommendations place primary emphasis on natural recovery, with additional actions to increase colonization and/or survival of propagules as needed.