Project Information

Title: LTM Program: Extending the Tracking of oil levels and weathering (PAH composition) in PWS through time. 15120114-S

Project Year and Number: 2015: 15120114-S

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2016: 16120114-S, 2014: 14120114-S, 2013: 13120114-S, 2012: 12120114-S

Principal Investigator (PI): Mark Carls (NOAA)

Managing Agency: NOAA

Assisting Personnel: Mandy Lindeberg (NOAA Fisheries)

Project Website: https://gulfwatchalaska.org/monitoring/completed-projects/lingering-oil/lingering-oil-weathering-and-tracking/

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Monitoring

Injured Resources Addressed: Clams, Harlequin Ducks, Intertidal Organisms, Mussels, Sea Otters, Sediments, Subtidal Organisms

Abstract:

This project is a component of the integrated Long-­term Monitoring of Marine Conditions and Injured Resources and Services submitted by McCammon et al. The goal is to provide the EVOSTC with an assessment of persistent Exxon Valdez oil in Prince William Sound, describe its chemical characteristics, and initiate a routine, long-­term monitoring program that will resample the same sites every five years over the next 20 years. Beaches will be sampled similar to surveys conducted by Auke Bay Laboratories during 2001-­?05 and sediment samples will be collected to estimate amounts of remaining oil. Mussel and passive samplers will provide information about biologically available oil. Objectives are 1) fingerprint oil, 2) determine oil persistence and weathering over decades, 3) determine oil sources, 4) determine biological availability, and 5) archive hydrocarbon data in the Trustee-­sponsored hydrocarbon database. These data, together with an ongoing retrospective analysis of biomarkers, the most environmentally persistent components of the oil, will help investigators understand potential exposure levels (past and present) and linkages to species at higher trophic levels.


Proposal: View (699 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY15: View (10,773 KB)
Final Report: See Project 16120114-S

Publications from this Project: None Available