Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollution From the HMS Royal Oak Shipwreck and Effects on Sediment Microbial Community Structure

Despite many shipwrecks containing oil there is a paucity of studies investigating their impact on surrounding environments. This study evaluates any potential effect the World War II shipwreck HMS Royal Oak having benthic sediments in Scapa Flow, Scotland. (Her Majesty’s Ship) sank 1939, subsequently leaked 1960s and 1990s, estimated to still hold 697 tonnes fuel oil. In this study, were analysed, over 17.5 cm depth profile, along 50–950 m cruciform transect away from shipwreck. Analysis polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) revealed low concentrations (205.91 ± 50.15 μg kg –1 dry sediment), which did not significantly differ with either distance or sediment depth. PAH well below effects-range (ERL) for OSPAR (Oslo/Paris convention Protection Marine Environment North-East Atlantic) maritime area. The average Pyrogenic Index, around , was 1.06 (±0.34), indicating PAHs pyrogenic rather than petrogenic. Moreover, analysis microbiomes no significant differences bacterial community structure shipwreck, extremely levels obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB; 0.21% 0.54%). Both lines evidence suggest that sampled are currently being impacted by petrogenic show long-term previous oil-spills .