Project Information

Title: Lingering Oil: Bioavailability and Effects to Prey and Predators 030585

Project Year and Number: 2003: 030585

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2002: 02585

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeep Rice (NOAA )

Managing Agency: NOAA

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

Research Location: Prince William Sound, Gulf of Alaska

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. In these areas, sea otters and harlequin ducks have not recovered, raising concerns that continued oil exposure may be affecting their survival. Biochemical assays and mortality patterns are consistent with continuing oil exposures, but prior to this study, linkages between oil persistence and impacts at higher trophic levels had not been attempted. In this study, shoreline contamination, exposure and effects were examined simultaneously by choosing a common set of sites at which to assess oil persistence and biological impacts on sea otters and harlequin ducks. Field work was conducted in FY 02, and closeout activities, including data analyses and writing of reports and publications, will be done in FY 03. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Auke Bay Lab has been leading the studies of oil bioavailability and impacts to prey species; Department of Interior-U.S. Geological Survey has been directing the studies on sea otters and harlequin ducks.


Proposal: View (151 KB)

Reports:
Final Report: View (566 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available