Effect of Autumn application of oil on Spartina alterniflora in a Texas, USA salt marsh

Date

1985

Authors

Webb, J.W.
Alexander, S.K.
Winters, J.K.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier Applied Science Publishers

Abstract

Arabian crude oil, Libyan crude oil, No. 6 fuel oil and No. 2 fuel oil were applied, in Nov. 1981, to 1 m2 salt marsh plots in Galveston Bay, Texas. Oil treatments were: no oil, 1 l on sediment, 1.5 l on sediment and lower 30 cm of S. alterniflora and 2 l on sediment and entire S. alterniflora surfaces. All oils caused death of above-ground parts of plants within 3 wk when applied to entire plant surfaces. Partial coverage was harmful only with No. 2 fuel oil, while sediment application had no effect. By 5 mo. new growth had occurred from roots and rhizomes in Arabian crude oil, Libyan crude oil and No. 6 fuel oil plots and live biomass was near that of controls. By 1 yr. recovery was complete. For No. 2 fuel oil plots, which sustained the greatest mortality, growth was significantly below control levels at 5 mo. and 1 yr., but recovery was complete within 2 yr. Slow recovery in No. 2 fuel oil plots appeared to be due to the initial mortality of below-ground, as well as above-ground, plant parts. Toxicity of residual oil in the sediment did not appear to be a factor in slow recovery since seedling establishment had occurred within 5 mo. and little residue of No. 2 fuel oil was present in the sediments after 1 yr. Also, this residue did not contain alkyl-substituted naphthalenes, toxic components present in the original oil. Considerable residues of all oils except No. 2 fuel oil were present in the sediment after 1 yr. Pristane/ nC17 and phytane/nC18 ratios indicated that removal of some oil components had occurred through biodegradation.

Description

pgs. 321-337

Keywords

aquatic plants, salt marshes, Spartina alterniflora, oil, oil pollution, smooth cordgrass, hydrocarbons, biodegradation, pollution effects

Citation