Environmental Impacts of the Deep-Water Oil and Gas Industry: A Review to Guide Management Strategies

Cordes, Erik E.; Jones, Daniel O. B.; Schlacher, Thomas A.; Amon, Diva J.; Bernardino, Ângelo F.; Brooke, Sandra; Carney, Robert S.; DeLeo, Danielle M.; Dunlop, Katherine M.; Escobar, Elva; Gates, Andrew R.; Génio, Luciana; Gobin, Judith; Henry, Lea‐Anne; Herrera, Santiago; Hoyt, Sarah; Joye, Mandy; Kark, Salit; Mestre, Nélia C.; Meta×as, Anna; Pfeifer, Simone; Sink, Kerry; Sweetman, Andrew K.; Witte, Ursula

doi:10.3389/fenvs.2016.00058

Cited by 264 publications

(167 citation statements)

References 214 publications

(263 reference statements)

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“…For example, oil and gas are currently being extracted to depths > 3000 m on continental margins, with increasing risk for leakage and spills (Cordes et al, 2016). Pressure from fishing has also increased since the mid-20 th century on seamounts and along continental margins, and there is now strong evidence that many deepwater fish species (e.g., rockfish, Greenland halibut, lings and tusks, orange roughy, sablefish and blue grenadier) have been severely exploited through trawling and longlining, with some species having been fished to commercial extinction (e.g., pelagic armourhead; Koslow et al 2000).…”

Section: Implications Of Climate Forcing On Societal Uses and Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems

Sweetman

Thurber

Smith

et al. 2017

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

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The deep sea encompasses the largest ecosystems on Earth. Although poorly known, deep seafloor ecosystems provide services that are vitally important to the entire ocean and biosphere. Rising atmospheric greenhouse gases are bringing about significant changes in the environmental properties of the ocean realm in terms of water column oxygenation, temperature, pH and food supply, with concomitant impacts on deep-sea ecosystems. Projections suggest that abyssal (3000-6000 m) ocean temperatures could increase by 1°C over the next 84 years, while abyssal seafloor habitats under areas of deep-water formation may experience reductions in water column oxygen concentrations by as much as 0.03 mL L -1 by 2100. Bathyal depths (200-3000 m) worldwide will undergo the most significant reductions in pH in all oceans by the year 2100 (0.29 to 0.37 pH units). O 2 concentrations will also decline in the bathyal NE Pacific and Southern Oceans, with losses up to 3.7% or more, especially at intermediate depths. Another important environmental parameter, the flux of particulate organic matter to the seafloor, is likely to decline significantly in most oceans, most notably in the abyssal and bathyal Indian Ocean where it is predicted to decrease by 40-55% by the end of the century. Unfortunately, how these major changes will affect deep-seafloor ecosystems is, in some cases, very poorly understood. In this paper, we provide a detailed overview of the impacts of these changing environmental parameters on deep-seafloor ecosystems that will most likely be seen by 2100 in continental margin, abyssal and polar settings. We also consider how these changes may combine with other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., fishing, mineral mining, oil and gas extraction) to further impact deep-seafloor ecosystems and discuss the possible societal implications.

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Section: Implications Of Climate Forcing On Societal Uses and Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems

Sweetman

Thurber

Smith

et al. 2017

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

Self Cite

253

292

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“…Therefore, prior to investigating the impact of (test) mining and the potential selection of protection zones, a better understanding of regional habitat heterogeneity and associated fauna should be achieved. In order to estimate this ecological variability in the area, habitat mapping is required (Cordes et al, 2016). Indeed, the macrofaunal community might be structured by differences in habitat heterogeneity between areas suited for mining and areas that are not mineable, such as differences in seabed slope and nodule parameters, which were not taken into account in our study.…”

Section: Implications For Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Community Structure of Deep-Sea Macrofauna Associated with Polymetallic Nodules in the Eastern Part of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

et al. 2017

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“…. These impacts may persist for many years to decades (Ramirez-Llodra et al, 2011;Cordes et al, 2016). It is difficult to understand and manage the environmental impacts of these activities in the deep sea without knowing what habitats might be affected and the ecology and biogeography of the fauna that inhabit them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies suggest that many deep-sea ecosystems have low resilience and recovery potential, but more importantly, that there is usually a high degree of uncertainty, so the precautionary approach should prevail (Ramirez-Llodra et al, 2011;Cordes et al, 2016;Huvenne et al, 2016;Van Dover et al, 2017). Environmental legislation should reflect modern environmental conservation practices by defining: (1) clear environmental goals and objectives, (2) the framework for environmental assessment and monitoring, (3) particular habitats or species that should be protected, and (4) the boundaries of areas designated for spatial management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Methane-Seep Communities in a Deep-Sea Area Designated for Oil and Natural Gas Exploitation Off Trinidad and Tobago

et al. 2017

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Exploration of the deep ocean (>200 m) is taking on added importance as human development encroaches. Despite increasing oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation, the deep ocean of Trinidad and Tobago is almost entirely unknown. The only scientific team to image the deep seafloor within the Trinidad and Tobago Exclusive Economic Zone was from IFREMER in the 1980s. That exploration led to the discovery of the El Pilar methane seeps and associated chemosynthetic communities on the accretionary prism to the east of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2014, the E/V Nautilus, in collaboration with local scientists, visited two previously sampled as well as two unexplored areas of the El Pilar site between 998 and 1,629 m depth using remotely operated vehicles. Eighty-three megafaunal morphospecies from extensive chemosynthetic communities surrounding active methane seepage were observed at four sites. These communities were dominated by megafaunal invertebrates including mussels (Bathymodiolus childressi), shrimp (Alvinocaris cf. muricola), Lamellibrachia sp. 2 tubeworms, and Pachycara caribbaeum. Adjacent to areas of active seepage was an ecotone of suspension feeders including Haplosclerida sponges, stylasterids and Neovermilia serpulids on authigenic carbonates. Beyond this were large Bathymodiolus shell middens. Finally there was either a zone of sparse octocorals and other nonchemosynthetic species likely benefiting from the carbonate substratum and enriched production within the seep habitat, or sedimented inactive areas. This paper highlights these ecologically significant areas and increases the knowledge of the biodiversity of the Trinidad and Tobago deep ocean. Because methane seepage and chemosynthetic communities are related to the presence of extractable oil and gas resources, development of best practices for the conservation of biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago waters within the context of energy extraction is critical. Potential impacts on benthic communities during oil and gas activities will likely be long lasting and include physical disturbance during drilling among others. Recommendations for the stewardship of Amon et al.Seep Communities Off Trinidad and Tobago these widespread habitats include: (1) seeking international cooperation; (2) holding wider stakeholder discussions; (3) adopting stringent environmental regulations; and (4) increasing deep-sea research to gather crucial baseline data in order to conduct appropriate marine spatial planning with the creation of marine protected areas.

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Environmental Impacts of the Deep-Water Oil and Gas Industry: A Review to Guide Management Strategies

Cited by 264 publications

References 214 publications

Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems

Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems

The Community Structure of Deep-Sea Macrofauna Associated with Polymetallic Nodules in the Eastern Part of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Characterization of Methane-Seep Communities in a Deep-Sea Area Designated for Oil and Natural Gas Exploitation Off Trinidad and Tobago

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