Effects of Oil on Marine Ecosystems: a Review for Administrators and Policy Makers

A broad selection of recent literature on the effects of oil on marine ecosystems is reviewed. The focus is on studies on crude oil. and the results are discussed with the purpose of providing a summary of findings that will be a useful reference for administrators and policy makers involved in decisions concerning petroleum developments and related activities. The characteristics of crude oil and factors modifying its impact on the marine environment are discussed. Most research on the toxicity ofoil has dealt with acute effects and data on long-term impacts at the community level are inconclusive. It is concluded that chronic low-level pollution is potentially more damaging to ecosystems than isolated catastrophic spills. Decision makers are forced to rely on interpretative judgments rather than conclusive data. Much of the material in this report was gathered as background material for use in preparing the marine section of the final environmental impact statement on the proposed trans-Alaska pipeline system (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1972). Some of the statements are essentially unchanged from the way they were presented in the appendix to volume IV of the impact statement. The impact statement made it clear that not enough data are available to analyze conclusively all of the potential environmental impacts of operation of the pipeline marine terminal facilities at Port Valdez, Alaska, and the transshipment of crude oil by tankers to west coast ports. A conclusion that can be drawn, however, and a message of the impact statement, is that oil poses a significant hazard to marine ecosystems, and a good deal of intensive research is necessary if these hazards are to be quantified and fully understood. Research on oil pollution published since the impact statement on the pipeline was issued reveals that scant progress has been made, particularly with regard to the effects ofchronic low-level oil pollution. Current and projected demands for energy in the United States are prompting accelerated development of offshore petroleum reserves, expanded oil tanker traffic, and proposals for construction of deepwater port facilities to handle the increasing number of supertankers. These developments will not wait for conclusive 'Alaska Region. National Marine Fisheries Service. NOAA. Juneau. AK 99801. 'Auke Bay Fisheries Laboratory. National Marine Fisheries Service. NOAA. Auke Bay. AK 99821. Manuscript accepted November 1973. FISHERY BULLETIN: VOl.. 72. NO.1. 1974. answers to questions on oil pollution. Recognizing this, we feel it is important that public administrators and policy makers be made aware of the inferences and trends evident in the research findings to date. These findings present a persuasive case that decisions regarding the handling of crude oil and petroleum products should be conservative and in favor of protecting the natural environment. While this report is by no means a complete review of the literature, it is sufficient to illustrate the potential danger of oil pollution to marine ecosystems and provide some guidance for policy decisions. History is replete with examples of man's scientific and technological advances carrying him into situations he did not fully comprehend and with consequences he could not evaluate. Bella (1970) noted that "our ability to change this world is going to increase faster than our ability to predict what that change is going to be." He concludes that our management procedures must recognize the degree of ignorance we have about this world in which we live. Pollution of the ocean by oil is a worldwide problem of growing concern to many nations. Spills like the Torrey Canyon, the Arrow, the Santa Barbara Channel blowout, and other spectacular incidents have helped stimulate international organizations of governments and industry to react to the problem. Viewed pragmatically, international response has been at least as adequate as domestic programs. Predicting the impact ofan oil spill on the environment requires an understanding of the complex interactions involved. What