Project Information

Title: Mussel Tissue and Sediment Hydrocarbon Data Synthesis 1989-1995 ST08

Project Year and Number: 1992: ST08

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: None

Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Short (NOAA )

Managing Agency: NOAA

Assisting Personnel: Mark Carls, Ron Heintz, Marshall Kendziorek, Sid Korn, Jacek Maselko, Bonita Nelson

Research Location: All Spill Affected Areas

Restoration Category: Damage Assessment

Injured Resources Addressed: Mussels, Sediments

Abstract: The goals of project Subtidal Study #8 are (1) to evaluate the internal consistency of sediment and mussel tissue hydrocarbon data, and (2) to objectively identify the presence of Exxon Valdez petroleum hydrocarbons in these samples. The first goal is necessary to minimize the effects of errors in sample collection, documentation and analysis that are inevitable with a large number of samples collected for several different projects, and that are chemically analyzed using a complex procedure. The more of these errors that can be objectively identified, the greater will be the power of subsequent statistical tests. The second goal is necessary to provide an objective evaluation of the persistence and geographic extent of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of these samples. This evaluation will provide a common reference for the participating projects, will minimize duplication of expensive analytical effort, and will provide the most comprehensive view of contamination possible with these data. Once Exxon Valdez petroleum hydrocarbons have been objectively and reliably identified in samples, the results can be mapped to yield a picture of the overall extent of contamination. By including results from all the projects that collected sediment or mussel tissue samples, the most complete and detailed maps of oil contamination will be prepared, providing a common reference for the participating projects. This, in turn, will provide scientific investigators and the general public with the most accurate indication of the persistence and geographic extent of oil contaminated sediments and mussels.


Proposal: View (45 KB)

Reports:
Final Report: View (4,254 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available

Datasets:
Auke Bay Laboratory (Hydrocarbon Samples): Hydorcarbon sample results from 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.