Project Information

Title: Mussel Bed Restoration and Monitoring 94090

Project Year and Number: 1994: 94090

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2000: 00090-CLO, 1999: 99090, 1997: 97090-CLO, 1996: 96090, 1995: 95090, 1993: 93036, 1992: R103-1

Principal Investigator (PI): Malin Babcock (NOAA )

Managing Agency: NOAA

Assisting Personnel: Christine Brodersen, Mark Carls, Pat Harris, Jeep Rice

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: General Restoration

Injured Resources Addressed: Mussels, Sediments

Abstract: The presence of relatively unweathered crude oil from the EVOS may be providing a source of chronic contamination of the overlying mussel beds and invertebrates. Previous studies, and experimental site manipulation in combination with natural cleansing processes, have indicated little or no reduction in EVOS crude oil for many of the sampled mussel beds. Natural cleansing of mussel beds has not occurred in the five years since the EVOS. Contaminated mussel beds continue to be a risk to consumers higher in the food chain. This project will use a more extensive and aggressive method to attempt to clear most the remaining oil beneath several of the most highly contaminated Prince William Sound (PWS) mussel beds. The mussels will be removed from the beds, the oiled sediment will be removed and replaced with uncontaminated sediment, and the mussels replaced. In addition, the biological impacts of chronic exposure to EVOS crude oil on mussels will be determined by analyzing and evaluating data collected in previous years and by conducting a minimal amount of additional sampling.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Annual Report FY94: View (672 KB)
Final Report: See Project 95090

Publications from this Project: None Available

Datasets:
Auke Bay Laboratory (Hydrocarbon Samples): Hydrocarbon results for tissue, sediment and mussels for this project are included in the NOAA final hydrocarbon database. The database includes sample collection information, hydrocarbon analyses and numerical correlations directly related to oil. dbf Availability: This database is accessible through Auke Bay Lab (907) 789-6000 and will be included on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Information Management CD-ROM available fall 1996. Also through Malin Babcock.