Effects of the MV Rena oil spill on intertidal rocky reefs in the Bay of Plenty,New Zealand

In the weeks following the 2011 Rena oil spill, a series of surveys was initiated on eight rocky intertidal reefs to describe the distribution of oil and to assess the impacts of oil on ecological communities. Consistent but relatively low cover of oil occurred at two sites (Mt Maunganui and Moturiki). The area covered by oil had decreased by c. 90% after 5 months due to natural weathering processes. There were immediate effects of oil fouling on the mussel Limnoperna pulex and its associated fauna, with reductions in the number of mussels and infaunal taxonomic richness. However, no ecological effects on any of the communities were detectable after 1 month. Overall, the ecological effects of the Rena oil spill on rocky shore intertidal communities were small and not long-lasting, but we stress that this does not consider potential sublethal effects and their consequences on organisms.     

Environmental effects of the MV Rena shipwreck: cross-disciplinary investigations of oil and debris impacts on a coastal ecosystem

ABSTRACT

The 2011 wreck of the MV Rena off the northeast coast of New Zealand, and subsequent impacts, has been called New Zealand's worst ever maritime environmental disaster. It is certainly one of the world's most complex as it involved a pollutant combination of oil and dangerous goods debris in a dynamic oceanic environment adjacent to a pristine coastline. Heavy fuel oil, shipping containers loaded with cargo, and a wide range of wreck debris and contaminants were spread along hundreds of kilometres of coastline of the Bay of Plenty. Much of this landed on sandy beaches and rocky shores. Broken containers released often toxic substances, and the wreck itself slid down the pinnacle of the wreck site at Astrolabe Reef (Otaiti). The reef remains heavily contaminated, with substantial remnants of the ship and its cargo present, and chemical effects still evident in some species. Here we present the background and timeline of events that unfolded after the grounding. The following articles contain the results of the ensuing chemical, toxicological and ecological studies of contamination and environmental recovery. At the time of writing, numerous legacy issues remain.     

Effects of MV Rena heavy fuel oil and dispersed oil on yellowtail kingfish early life stages

ABSTRACT

The grounding of the MV Rena has highlighted the lack of information concerning the effects of oil-related compounds on New Zealand marine life. Yellowtail kingfish (YTK), Seriola lalandi, embryos were exposed in static incubations to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Rena heavy fuel oil as well as a similar preparation treated with the commercial dispersant Corexit 9500. Mortality in WAF treatments generally increased in association with total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (tPAH) concentration over a 24-h period. Physical abnormalities were observed in some of the larvae exposed to WAF for 48 h. There was no survival in dispersed oil treatments after 24 h of exposure. These treatments had greater tPAH concentrations (2–53?µgL^?1) than equivalent WAF dilutions (0.2–1.5?µgL^?1?tPAH). Indications are that significant morbidity is induced in YTK at ecologically relevant tPAH concentrations. This highlights the need for further research into oil and dispersant toxicity in New Zealand marine species.     

Acute sublethal toxicity of MV Rena contaminants (heavy fuel oil,oil dispersant and cryolite) to finfish and rock lobster

ABSTRACT

The wreck of the MV Rena in October 2011 discharged large quantities of potentially toxic materials in the coastal marine environment of the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. We evaluated sublethal effects of the water soluble fractions of physically and chemically dispersed heavy fuel oil (HFO) and the water soluble fraction of cryolite on the haematology of subadult or adult snapper (Chrysophrys auratus), spotted wrasse (Notolabrus celidotus) and red rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii). Small but transient effects occurred, the most significant of which were changes in circulating immune cell populations in fish and lobster that recovered by the conclusion of a 96-h exposure period. No post-exposure effects were observed during a 10-day recovery in toxicant-free seawater. Corexit 9500 oil dispersant increased polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) uptake from HFO in fish and lobster by around two-fold and four-fold, respectively, and caused a larger change in immune cell abundance in snapper than exposure to HFO alone. While depuration of PAHs was more rapid in fish than lobster, significantly elevated PAH levels were still evident after 10 days of depuration.     

Burial and degradation of organic carbon in Louisiana shelf/slope sediments

The primary focus of this paper is to better understand carbon burial on the Louisiana continental margin using spatial scales that covered various shelf depositional areas far-field and near-field (sediment and organic carbon inputs relative to river mouth proximity) and covering a variety of sedimentation rates. Box-cores samples were collected in July 2003; cores were collected along two depositional transects extending westward and southward from the Southwest Pass (SW Pass). A key difference between the two transects sampled in this study was the greater occurrence of mobile muds derived from spillover from shallower regions along the westward 50 m isobaths. The dominant mechanism for mixing in the surface active zone (SAZ) on the inner Louisiana shelf was due to physical, not biological, forces. Burial efficiencies for organic carbon (57.2–91.5%) and total nitrogen (44.2–86.9%) ranged widely across all shelf stations. Lower burial efficiencies for bulk organic carbon, total nitrogen, and pigment biomarkers were associated with mobile muds west of Southwest Pass. Chlorophyll a concentrations were significantly higher than pheopigments at depth at the Mississippi River and Southwest Pass stations, making up 40.4 and 77.4% of total pigment concentrations in the (SAZ) and 46.2 and 63.2% in the accumulation zone (AZ), respectively. These results are in agreement with earlier plant pigment studies which showed that a large fraction of the phytodetritus delivered to the inner shelf was derived from coastal and river diatoms. The amount of lignin preserved with depth decreased with increasing residence time in the SAZ and diagenetic zone (DZ) along the canyon transect but not along the western transect. Trends for lignin concentration followed previously identified surface sediment trends indicating overall lower burial of refractory terrestrial material at depth with greater distance offshore.     

The wreck of the MV Rena: spatio-temporal analysis of ship-derived contaminants in the sediments and fauna of Astrolabe Reef

ABSTRACT

The October 2011 sinking of the container ship MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef, New Zealand, provided a rare opportunity to examine the fate of shipwreck-derived contaminants on an offshore rocky reef and food chain. Analyses of trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organotins indicated significant but localised contamination of Astrolabe Reef but not of nearby Mōtītī Island. Three years after the grounding, PAH concentrations were greater in sediments at Astrolabe (up to 131?mg kg^?1) than at control locations, while organotins from the ship's antifouling hull paint were found exclusively in Astrolabe Reef sediments and biota. Over 80% of Astrolabe sediment samples contained tributyltin at concentrations above guideline sediment levels (>0.07?mg kg^?1). Tributyltin and its decomposition products were also recorded in sea urchins, gastropods, lobster and fishes at concentrations up to 0.2?mg kg^?1. Wreck and cargo-derived metals, particularly copper, tin and zinc, were present in some Astrolabe sediment samples above Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council guideline concentrations. However, there appeared to be only limited transmission of metals through the food chain. Copper, tin and zinc were recorded at greater concentrations in Astrolabe sea urchins and gastropods compared to control specimens, while metal concentrations in other biota were comparable across impact and control sites. Despite over 3 years having passed since the Rena grounding, the data series does not show any upward or downward trends in contaminant concentrations on Astrolabe Reef. Consequently, there is uncertainty about the long-term implications of the Rena grounding for the ecology of Astrolabe Reef.     

渤海湾和胶州湾表层沉积物中甾醇的分布和来源

测定了渤海湾和胶州湾22个表层沉积物样品中甾醇类化合物的含量,分析了其分布特征和来源.研究表明,所测定的8种甾醇类化合物在两海区表层沉积物中的含量和分布具有很大的区域差异,其含量为0～4.303 μg/g,渤海湾甾醇总含量为0.287～18.579μg/g,高于胶州湾0.084～10.584 μg/g.8种化合物中只有谷甾醇在全部样品中检出,而粪便甾醇仅存在于受人类活动影响较大和有生活污水输入的近岸区域.而代表陆源高等植物来源的特征甾醇化合物豆甾醇和谷甾醇则在河口区表层沉积物分布较高.另外,根据表层沉积物中不同甾醇化合物的组成、含量和分布特征,可以很好地指示河流输入以及大量生活废水的排放对近岸海区的污染状况,从而可以作为近岸环境污染监测和评价的重要指标.     

山东芝罘湾表层沉积物重金属含量与环境质量评价

采取烟台芝罘湾海域110个海底表层沉积物样品,对其进行重金属(Hg、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、As、Ni)元素分析,研究其空间分布特征及污染情况。结果显示,烟台市芝罘湾海域重金属污染物基本集中在芝罘岛周边一带,而莱山及牟平以东海域重金属含量较低。重金属含量等值线大致平行于海岸。本文环境质量评价方法主要为综合污染指数法等。评价结果显示,研究区大部分海域环境质量较好,特别是莱山区及牟平区近海海域达到了清洁级别,芝罘岛周边海域污染级别为轻污染-污染,芝罘岛西部小范围海域达到重污染级别。此外,相关分析表明重金属分布受粒径大小的影响比较显著,个别重金属元素之间也具有一定的相关性。本研究首次对芝罘湾海域底质重金属环境质量进行客观评价,能准确地切入地方需求,为服务地方经济建设及海洋生态文明建设作出了重要贡献。     

柘林湾表层沉积物重金属分布及污染初步评价

研究了柘林湾表层沉积物样品中7种重金属元素的质量分数及分布特征,并对其来源进行了分析。结果显示,调查海区Zn的平均质量分数为113.0μg/g±6.5μg/g、Cr为40.1μg/g±8.5μg/g、Mn为837.9μg/g±168.6μg/g、Cu为24.0μg/g±4.3μg/g、Pb为57.7μg/g±11.3μg/g、Ni为24.4μg/g±5.7μg/g、Fe为3.7%±0.4%。重金属主要来源于陆源风化产物,其质量分数反映了粤东地区的地质特点。分别以沉积物质量和香港环保署公布的标准,对柘林湾表层沉积物重金属污染进行了评估,结果表明:只有Pb在部分站位达到中度污染水平,其它重金属元素则只为轻度污染。     

辽东湾表层沉积物的重金属污染特征与质量评价

本文研究了辽东湾表层沉积物中重金属的分布及污染特征,评价其生态风险及环境质量。对辽东湾表层沉积物8种重金属（As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn）的空间分布进行了研究,采用Hankanson法和I_geo（地累积指数）分析了该海域重金属潜在生态风险,并评价了该海域的环境质量。在辽东湾葫芦岛附近海域、西南部六股河口东南部海域以及西部近岸海域表层沉积物中As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn含量偏高。地累积指数法及生态风险指数法对重金属污染程度评价结果一致,辽东湾生态环境具有潜在危害的重金属主要是Cd、Hg和As,8种重金属潜在生态风险系数由高到低依次为Cd、Hg、Cu、Pb、As、Zn、Ni和Cr,各站位重金属综合潜在生态风险指数均大于150,生态风险总体上处于中等生态风险等级。Cd和Hg是该海域沉积物重金属中主要污染物,局部区域达到中、中-强污染程度。环境质量评价表明,辽东湾表层沉积物重金属引发有害生物效应的可能性不大,但Cd和Hg显著富集,应予以重视。     

In situ sampling reveals rapid uptake and depuration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by surf clams (Paphies subtriangulata) affected by the Rena oil spill

ABSTRACT

To investigate the uptake and depuration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with the Rena oil spill we sampled the surf clam Paphies subtriangulata at two open coast locations (6?km apart) just prior to oil coming ashore (7 October 2011), then at 1–3 week intervals for the next 4 months. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tPAH) increased at both sites from 1 to 96–124?µg?kg^?1 (wet weight) by 18 October before declining to low levels (<4?µg?kg^?1) by February 2012. Ongoing sampling throughout 2012–2014 included three additional sites to the north east (up to 30?km away) and a site 5?km to the south east revealing tPAH levels generally <10?µg?kg^?1 except in October 2013 where levels ranged between 39–45?µg?kg^?1 at all sites. A comparison of PAH component profiles with oil-contaminated beach sediment indicated that the high levels observed in surf clams between October–December 2011 were clearly associated with the Rena spill. However, the October 2013 peak had a PAH profile inconsistent with weathered Rena oil, suggesting an alternative source of contamination. Our results highlight the potential for P. subtriangulata as a PAH monitoring tool but recognise more study is needed to better quantify baseline levels and uptake and depuration dynamics.     

桑沟湾海域表层沉积物重金属含量和污染评价

分析了山东省荣成市东部桑沟湾及邻近海域200个站位的表层沉积物样品重金属元素（As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Pb、Zn）含量分布特征,采用不同的评价方法,研究了重金属元素对环境的污染情况。结果表明,桑沟湾及邻近海域表层沉积物中多数重金属元素含量由湾内向周围降低,As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Pb、Zn平均含量分别为6.51、0.11、64.86、18.05、0.015、27.74、75.21 μg/g。海底表层沉积物整体质量较好,重金属污染程度低,潜在生态风险程度低。     

厦门湾沉积物对石油的吸附解吸规律研究

为了研究海洋沉积物对0#柴油配制的石油溶液的吸附解吸规律,采集了厦门湾15个站点的沉积物作为研究对象,分析了沉积物的主要理化特征之后,在实验室条件下,以SS5号站点沉积物为代表,模拟沉积物对石油的吸附-解吸过程,测定了沉积物对石油吸附、解吸的动力学曲线和吸附等温线.研究结果表明：沉积物对石油的吸附的平衡时间为0.76 h,解吸的平衡时间为7.8 h,沉积物对石油的吸附速率高于解吸速率,并且石油被沉积物吸附以后不会完全解吸出来.沉积物对石油的吸附等温线具有线性规律,接近理想吸附.研究还表明：沉积物对石油的吸附量与石油的浓度,沉积物粒径等因素有关.     

曼谷湾河口区百年来沉积物重金属变化趋势及污染来源

2015年7月在泰国曼谷湾邦巴功河河口采集了1根1.5m长的沉积物柱样,分析了样品中重金属元素(Cd、Pb、Co、Ni、Cu、Cr、Zn)含量,进行了粒度和210Pb、137Cs活度测试,使用地累积指数、元素污染指数和潜在生态风险参数对重金属污染情况进行评级, 并结合实际情况对污染来源进行了推断。结果表明：沉积柱状样210Pb、137Cs活度测试结果计算获得的沉积速率约为2.3cm/a,沉积物柱状样记录了1948—2015年的沉积情况。7种重金属元素含量均值分别为0.11、29.60、19.78、44.18、28.99、80.93、99.01 mg/kg。重金属含量较20世纪都有所增长,Cd、Zn、Pb、Cr在整段沉积时间框架内增长明显。元素富集程度顺序为Cd>Zn>Pb>Cr>Cu>Ni>Co, Cd元素污染程度最为严重,Pb、Cu和Zn为偏中度污染,Cr、Ni和Co为轻度污染。单一重金属生态风险系数Eri评级顺序为Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞Ni＞Co＞Cr＞Zn。其中Cd为很强至极强生态危害,Pb为轻微至中等生态危害。Cd、Zn、Cu和Pb元素没有超出泰国沉积物环境质量基准规定的效应区间低值,Ni超出效应区间低值,但没有超过效应区间中值。重金属元素与Al较差的相关性表明重金属元素主要是非自然来源,Cd、Cu、Zn可能源于金属冶炼和交通,此外, Cd还可能存在其他未知工业污染来源,受人类活动影响较大。Cr可能源于纺织业发展。1990年之后较1990年之前重金属元素之间的相关性更差,指示1990年之后相比1990年之前重金属污染来源更复杂。     

洋山深水港区海域秋、冬季沉积物中重金属来源分析及生态风险评价(英文)

通过测定洋山深水港区海域2010~2013年6个航次秋、冬季沉积物中重金属含量,分析其时空差异,结果表明该海域沉积物重金属总体含量较低,空间分布较为均匀,Hg、Zn、Pb、Cd含量秋季明显高于冬季,As、Cu含量的季节性波动较小,用因子分析法研究该海域重金属来源,发现陆源工业、船舶航运排污以及有机质降解是研究海域Pb、Cd、Zn的主要来源;农业污染、码头货物装卸残留及建筑垃圾支配着Cu、As、Hg的来源。SQG-Q生态风险评价表明研究海域沉积物中重金属均存在中、低度的生态风险,秋季的生态风险高于冬季,Hg和Cu是主要生态风险因子;地累积指数法评价结果显示研究海域基本不受Hg、As、Zn、Pb的污染;Cd、Cu以轻度污染为主,部分站位属于偏中度污染,6种重金属污染程度依次为:CdCuPbZnHgAs。因子综合得分评价表明,重金属污染相对严重的站位依次为5号、4号及3号站位。但总体看来洋山深水港区附近海域沉积物中重金属污染状况属于轻度污染。     

互花米草对泉州湾盐沼表层沉积物输运的影响

海岸盐沼是海岸湿地系统的重要组成部分,具有很强的环境调节功能．互花米草（Spartina alterniflora）的引种对海岸盐沼的沉积动力产生很大影响．粒度分析结果表明,互花米草盐沼边缘与沉积物平均粒径为6．7φ的等值线分布一致．现场观测表明,互花米草对流速具有明显的阻滞作用,使得光滩流速明显大于互花米草内的流速;在互花米草滩内,随着离盐沼边缘距离、植被高度、植株直径的不同,涨落潮流速也表现出不同的变化趋势．粒径趋势分析结果显示,互花米草盐沼边缘的表层沉积物由光滩向盐沼内输运,潮水沟的存在对沉积物的输运格局具有显著影响．对比分析表明落潮后期的水动力条件控制着研究区内表层沉积物的净输运方向．     

Distribution and their pollution assessment of heavy metals in the sediments of the Yalu River Estuary and its adjacent coastal waters

The present paper deals with the distribution patterns of heavy metals and the associated influencing factors in the Yalu River Estuary and its adjacent coastal waters.Based upon the analysis of the surficial and core sediments measurements,the pollution of heavy metal and potential ecological risk were evaluated.The burial flux and contents of heavy metals(except for copper) have been continuously increasing since the 1920s.Therefore,the gross potential ecological risk for the sedi-ments was high or very high,and the study area was endangered by heavy metals contamination.Heavy metals originated mainly from upstream pollutant input,correlation analysis showed that chromium,nickel,zinc,cadmium,lead,arsenic,and mercury in the sediments of the middle and west channels as well as the sea area of the western Yalu River Estuary concentrations were most probably derived from similar sources.In contrast,the metal of copper most probably originated from sources different from the other metals.Preliminary studies indicate that copper contamination was most likely the result of emission from mining activities situated at the upstream of the river.The contents of heavy metals in the sediments of estuarine turbidity maximum zone of Yalu River were larger than those of any other areas in the middle channel.With large portion of fine sediments,weaker hydrodynamics,and richer sources of heavy metals,the sediments of the west channel,were even more enriched with heavy metals than those of the middle channel.     

Oil dispersal modelling: reanalysis of the Rena oil spill using open-source modelling tools

ABSTRACT

Oil spill forecast modelling is typically used immediately after a spill to predict oil dispersal and promote mobilisation of more effective response operations. The aim of this work was to map oil dispersal after the grounding of the MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef and to verify the results against observations. Model predictions were broadly consistent with observed distribution of oil contamination. However, some hot spots of oil accumulation, likely due to surf-zone and rip current circulation, were not well represented. Additionally, the model was run with 81 differing wind conditions to show that the events occurring during the grounding represented the typical likely behaviour of an oil spill on Astrolabe Reef. Oil dispersal was highly dependent on prevailing wind patterns; more accurate prediction would require better observations of local wind patterns. However, comparison of predictions with observations indicated that the GNOME model was an effective low-cost approach.     

广西铁山港海域沉积物重金属污染状况及潜在生态风险评价

对广西铁山港海域表层沉积物进行采集,对沉积物中重金属（Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As、Hg）含量进行测定,并采用单因子指数法和Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法进行了评价。结果表明：六种重金属平均含量（×10-6）依次为Zn（61.1）>Pb（15.9）> Cu（13.1）>As（10.1）>Cd（0.27）>Hg（0.068）,均低于国家海洋沉积物一类标准;铁山港表层沉积物重金属单因子污染程度总体较轻,属于低污染水平,污染程度排序为Cu＞Zn ＞Hg＞As＞Cd＞Pb;铁山港海域沉积物重金属潜在生态风险排序为Hg＞Cd＞As＞Cu＞Pb＞Zn,所有站位潜在生态风险指数RI平均值为 63.11,潜在生态风险总体处于较低水平,潜在风险高值区出现在铁山港北部海域,主要受Hg的高潜在风险水平影响。     

Comparison between petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations and magnetic properties in Chennai coastal sediments,Bay of Bengal,INDIA

Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations (PHC) of surface sediments along the Chennai coast, India, were measured by UV-Fluorescence (UVF) Spectroscopy and the results are expressed in terms of Chrysene equivalents. The concentration of PHC in sediment varies widely (from 1.88 ppm to 39.76 ppm) as compared to the baseline (1.88 ppm) with higher values obtained in the northern part of the study area. The highest magnetic susceptibility (96.8 × 10⁻⁸ m³kg⁻¹) value was determined from the Chennai harbour area. The magnetic parameters show that the Chennai coastal sediments are dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals. The positive correlation (r² = 0.86; p < 0.05) between petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations and magnetic susceptibility suggests that the magnetic minerals and petroleum hydrocarbons along the Chennai coast are derived from the same sources. Factor analysis shows that the magnetic concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ_ARM and SIRM) covary with the petroleum hydrocarbon concentration, suggesting that large amounts of magnetic minerals originate from anthropogenic activities. It is evident that using magnetic measurements may be considered a simple, rapid, cheap and non-destructive method to determine petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in coastal sediments. Furthermore, this technique may be applied to petroleum exploration studies. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in sediments have been proposed as complementary or alternative means of exploration and assessment of hydrocarbon reservoirs.