Environmental impact and recovery at two dumping sites for dredged material in the North Sea

Stronkhorst, J.; Ariese, Freek; Hattum, B. van; Postma, J.F.; Kluijver, Mario de; Besten, P.J. den; Bergman, M.J.N.; Daan, R.; Murk, Albertinka J.; Vethaak, A.D.

doi:10.1016/s0269-7491(02)00430-x

Cited by 84 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Megafaunal numbers were very low in disturbed areas and close to the disturbance source. As this study was completed within a month of the initial disturbance, this reflected the initial disturbance of the communities by physical smothering and burial of organisms also observed in other studies (Stronkhorst et al 2003). Highly motile organisms responded by moving away from the disturbance, as has been previously noted (e.g.…”

Section: Effects Of Disturbance On Megafaunal Abundancesupporting

confidence: 73%

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Jones¹,

Hudson²,

Bett³

2006

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The response of a deep, cold-water benthic community to physical disturbance from offshore drilling was investigated using Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) video in the Faroe-Shetland Channel. This study presents a novel method for characterising changes in the ecosystem function of deep-water benthic megafaunal communities in response to physical disturbance. Ecosystem function is investigated using a range of community parameters, particularly abundance and diversity. High levels of physical disturbance, characterised by smothering of the seabed within a radius of 50 to 120 m around the drilling site, resulted in significant but variable reductions in megafaunal abundance (up to 92.3%). Reductions in diversity, particularly in species richness, were apparent between disturbed (Mao Tao estimated species richness of ES (500) = 12.9) and undisturbed areas (ES (500) = 20.6). The implications of selective removal of taxa on ecosystem function and recovery are discussed. Low level disturbance had comparatively little effect on the megafaunal communities; the effects varied in nature depending on motility and functional group (e.g. motile scavenger abundances were maximal at intermediate distances from disturbance). We conclude by comparing the functioning of the ecosystem under different regimes of disturbance and discuss implications for recovery of disturbed deep-sea habitats.

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Section: Effects Of Disturbance On Megafaunal Abundancesupporting

confidence: 73%

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Jones¹,

Hudson²,

Bett³

2006

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…At Laggan, the initial disturbance by physical smothering and burial of organisms was severe within 100 m of drilling activity, as observed for other forms of physical smothering disturbance (Stronkhorst et al 2003). Outside the area of complete disturbance, megafaunal taxa responded differently to disturbance, likely dependant on a complex interaction of factors including feeding mode, motility, particle removal rate and rate of sedimentation (Nichols et al 1978).…”

Section: Effects Of Disturbance On Megafaunamentioning

confidence: 97%

Recovery of deep-water megafaunal assemblages from hydrocarbon drilling disturbance in the Faroe−Shetland Channel

Jones¹,

Gates²,

Lausen³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Recovery of megabenthic assemblages from physical disturbance at the Laggan deep-water hydrocarbon drilling site in the Faroe−Shetland Channel was assessed using remotely operated vehicle quantitative video survey. Twelve undisturbed control sites and 2 well sites (A and C, disturbed 3 and 10 yr prior to this work, respectively) were analysed and compared with a previous survey immediately following disturbance at A. The megabenthic epifauna at Laggan was dominated by sponges (69.6% total fauna) represented by 20 taxa. Cnidarians (12.8%; 9 taxa) and echinoderms (7.1%; 11 taxa) were also common. Diversity was generally high and typical for the cold waters of the Faroe−Shetland Channel. Two distinct assemblages were found: one in the deeper area of the study site (also incorporating Site C), and one in the other areas (incorporating Site A). Motile faunal densities and richness were significantly elevated immediately after drilling in an area with intermediate disturbance, presumably attracted to available carcasses of organisms killed by drilling disturbance. After 3 and 10 yr, densities of motile organisms were less variable with distance, except very close to drilling where densities and richness were still reduced. Sessile faunal densities and richness increased significantly with increasing distance from drilling in all years, although both metrics were significantly higher close to drilling after 3 and 10 yr when compared to immediately after drilling. These data suggest partial megabenthic recovery between 3 and 10 yr post-disturbance. Despite this, in the area remaining completely covered by drill cuttings there were few megafauna observed even after 10 yr.

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“…Hurst et al, 2004;Stronkhorst et al, 2003;Houtman et al, 2004Houtman et al, , 2006Legler et al, 2006a,b;Van den Brink and Kater, 2006;Sanctorum et al, 2007;Schipper et al, 2009Schipper et al, , 2010Hamers et al, 2010). Bioassays are also applied on national level by several countries (ICES, 2010).…”

Section: Applicability Of In Vitro Dr-luc Bioassay Across the Ospar Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Distribution of the MusselMytilusSpecies Along the Norwegian Coast

Brooks

Farmen

2013

Journal of Shellfish Research

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Environmental impact and recovery at two dumping sites for dredged material in the North Sea

Cited by 84 publications

References 25 publications

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Recovery of deep-water megafaunal assemblages from hydrocarbon drilling disturbance in the Faroe−Shetland Channel

The Distribution of the MusselMytilusSpecies Along the Norwegian Coast

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Environmental impact and recovery at two dumping sites for dredged material in the North Sea

Cited by 84 publications

References 25 publications

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Recovery of deep-water megafaunal assemblages from hydrocarbon drilling disturbance in the Faroe−Shetland Channel

The Distribution of the MusselMytilusSpecies Along the Norwegian Coast

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Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel

Effects of physical disturbance on the cold-water megafaunal communities of the FaroeShetland Channel