Project Information

Title: Lingering Oil: Bioavailability and Effects to Prey and Predators 02585

Project Year and Number: 2002: 02585

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2003: 030585

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeep Rice (NOAA )

Managing Agency: NOAA

Assisting Personnel: Brenda Ballachey, Jim Bodkin, Dan Esler, Jeff Short

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Harlequin Ducks, Sea Otters, Sediments

Abstract: About 20 acres of contaminated beach were found in 2001 surveys of western Prince William Sound conducted under Project 01543. Sea otters and harlequin ducks have not recovered, raising concerns that continued exposure may be affecting their survival. Biochemical assays and mortality patterns are consistent with continuing oil exposures, but linkages between oil persistence studies and impact studies have not been attempted to date. This project will attempt to identify a greater degree of linkage between oil persistence, exposure, and effects by choosing a common set of sites at which to assess oil persistence and biological effects on sea otters and harlequin ducks. The emphasis will be on bioavailability and impact to sea otters and harlequin ducks, but some effort will be expended on bioavailability and exposure of prey species living in oil patches. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's Auke Bay Lab will lead the studies of oil bioavailability and impacts to prey species. The US Geological Survey/US Department of Interior will lead studies directly on sea otters and harlequin ducks.


Proposal: View (173 KB)

Reports:
Final Report: See Project 030585

Publications from this Project: None Available