Some ecological effects of marine oil pollution

Abstract

Oil at sea affects chiefly species associated with the surface; damage at sea by oil and dispersants after Torrey Canyon were not as bad as expected. Slicks sometimes disappear naturally, how apart from physical actions may this be taking place? Bacteria can, under experimental conditions very favorable to their growth, assist in dispersal; sinking and decomposition of oil, and Zooplankton cart ingest oil droplets, but are these factors of significance at sea? On shores after Torrey Canyon, far more damage was done by excess detergent than by oil. Repopulation is following the expected sequence, most affected shores being still abnormal. Observations on oil left untreated in Cornwall, at Eleuthera and on the Devon coast show slow removal by various natural means, including the browsing action of fauna. Toxic detergents can affect the sublittoral zone, including species of economic importance. Areas Liable to repeated pollution, such as estuaries and salt marshes, require special care. The use of newer dispersants of low toxicity is desirable here and on shores.