Field experiments on the effects of crude oil and dispersant on the common animals and plants of rocky sea shores

Abstract

In experiments on the Somerset coast, Forties crude oil and BP 1100WD dispersant were sprayed on to small areas of the rocky shore over a period of several days to stimulate conditions following an oil spill. Detailed observations were made at monthly intervals of marked 0.1 m 2 quadrats within (and without) the treated areas. Some areas received oil only, others dispersant only, and the third set received oil followed by dispersant. The experiments were in two parts, the one to simulate a July incident and the other a January incident. Limpets and the small winkles living in and between empty barnacle shells were the most obviously affected organisms. The sites that received both oil and dispersant were most seriously upset, but the oil areas came next. The effect of BP 1100WD on its own as applied in this experiment was relatively slight.