Recovery of interior brackish marshes seven years after the chalk point oil spill

Abstract

Seven years after the April 2000 spill of 140,000 gallons of a mixture of No. 6 and No. 2 fuel oils in the Patuxent River, Maryland, heavily oiled brackish marshes showed continuing effects. Stem density and stem height were significantly lower in oiled versus unoiled sites for Spartina alterniflora but not Spartina cynosuroides habitats. In contrast, belowground biomass was significantly lower in S. cynosuroides habitats but not S. alterniflora habitats. Total PAH concentrations were up to 453 mg/kg in surficial soils (0–10 cm) and 2921 mg/kg with depth (10–20 cm). The oil had lost 22–76% of its initial PAH content after seven years, although the oil in marsh soils has undergone little to no additional weathering since Fall 2000. Based on amphipod acute toxicity tests and sediment quality guidelines, 25% of the soils in the marsh are expected to be toxic (ESB-TU FCV values > 3.0; P Max > 0.65).