Petroleum in the deep sea environment: Potential for damage to biota

Abstract

Information on the fate, persistence and biological impact of petroleum hydrocarbons in shallow marine environments, coupled with recent data on hydrocarbonsin offshore sediments and the biology of deep sea organisms, have provided new perspectives on the potential impact of oil on the deep sea environment. A review of literature on petroleum hydrocarbons in deep sea sediments, mechanisms for transport of petroleum to the deep sea floor, interaction of petroleum hydrocarbons and particulate matter, and the physiology and metabolism of deep sea fish and crustaceans has resulted in the following conclusions: 1. 1. Hydrocarbons of apparent anthropogenic origin are accumulating in bottom sediments of coastal margins and in deeper offshore waters at unknown rates. 2. 2. Several mechanisms exist for the rapid transport of petroleum hydrocarbons to the deep sea floor. 3. 3. Petroleum hydrocarbons are intimately associated with particulate matter in the sea, behaving much the same as natural biogenic material and having the potential to modify or interrupt natural processes. 4. 4. The unique physiology of deep water life forms increases the potential for adverse impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on the deep sea environment. 5. 5. There is a need to determine trends of temporal and spatial deposition of hydrocarbons in deep sea sediments and evaluate the biological impact of this introduction of xenobiotic compounds on the largest environment on earth.