Abstract
The supralittoral zone of an open sandy beach was dosed with crude oil and changes in the meiofauna monitored. Treatments included weathered and fresh oil on the surface, fresh oil mixed with dispersant on the surface and weathered oil at the water table, all in layers 0·8 cm thick. In all cases the meiofauna was reduced 1 month after dosing but numbers had returned to normal by 5 months except in the site dosed with fresh oil mixed with dispersant. Oil on the surface had greater effects than oil at the water table; fresh oil had a greater effect than weathered oil and fresh oil with dispersant was more toxic than fresh oil alone. Nematodes were least sensitive to the oil and oligochaetes more sensitive, their numbers being correlated with oil concentrations and depth in the substrate. It is concluded that, under all but the heaviest conditions of pollution in their environment, recovery from oil contamination should occur within 5 months in the meiofauna.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
