Long-term persistence of oil from the Exxon Valdez spill in two-layer beaches

Li, Hailong; Boufadel, Michel C.

doi:10.1038/ngeo749

Cited by 198 publications

(158 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…This tends to occur at beaches where there is a high permeability upper layer (i.e., gravel) that is underlain by a low permeability layer. The upper layer is able to temporarily store the oil until it penetrates into the lower layer where it becomes entrapped by capillary forces and biodegradation is limited due to the reducing conditions in the low permeability sediment Li and Boufadel, 2010]. In this way, oil is able to persist in the beach sediment until there is a change in environmental conditions (e.g., storm event) that leads to erosion of the shoreline [Owens et al, 2008].…”

Section: Organic Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Groundwater dynamics in subterranean estuaries of coastal unconfined aquifers: Controls on submarine groundwater discharge and chemical inputs to the ocean

Robinson¹,

Xin²,

Santos³

et al. 2018

Advances in Water Resources

198

138

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Sustainable coastal resource management requires sound understanding of interactions between coastal unconfined aquifers and the ocean as these interactions influence the flux of chemicals to the coastal ocean and the availability of fresh groundwater resources. The importance of submarine groundwater discharge in delivering chemical fluxes to the coastal ocean and the critical role of the subterranean estuary (STE) in regulating these fluxes is well recognized. STEs are complex and dynamic systems exposed to various physical, hydrological, geological, and chemical conditions that act on disparate spatial and temporal scales. This paper provides a review of the effect of factors that influence flow and salt transport in STEs, evaluates current understanding on the interactions between these influences, and synthesizes understanding of drivers of nutrient, carbon, greenhouse gas, metal and organic contaminant fluxes to the ocean.Based on this review, key research needs are identified. While the effects of density and tides are well understood, episodic and longer-period forces as well as the interactions between multiple influences remain poorly understood. Many studies continue to focus on idealized nearshore aquifer systems and future work needs to consider real world complexities such as geological heterogeneities, and non-uniform and evolving alongshore and cross-shore morphology. There is also a significant need for multidisciplinary research to unravel the interactions between physical and biogeochemical processes in the STE, as most existing studies treat these processes in isolation. Better understanding of this complex and dynamic system can improve sustainable management of coastal water resources under the influence of anthropogenic pressures and climate change.

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Section: Organic Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in some cases oil has been found to infiltrate and persist in beach sediments for decades after an offshore spill [Owens et al, 2008;Li and Boufadel, 2010]. This tends to occur at beaches where there is a high permeability upper layer (i.e., gravel) that is underlain by a low permeability layer.…”

Section: Organic Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater dynamics in subterranean estuaries of coastal unconfined aquifers: Controls on submarine groundwater discharge and chemical inputs to the ocean

Robinson¹,

Xin²,

Santos³

et al. 2018

Advances in Water Resources

198

138

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“…The spill also left crude oil in the intertidal zone in unconsolidated sediments of some WPWS beaches (Morris and Loughlin, 1994;Spies and others, 1996), some of which remained for more than two decades (Boufadel and others, 2010;Li and Boufadel, 2010;Xia and others, 2010). As sea otters forage, they excavate clams and other intertidal invertebrates, which can re-suspend buried oil and function as a pathway for chronic exposure of sea otters to toxic oil residues remaining in the environment .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

2013 update on sea otter studies to assess recovery from the 1989 <i>Exxon Valdez</i> oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska

Ballachey¹,

Monson²,

Esslinger³

et al. 2014

Open-File Report

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Suggested citation: Ballachey, B.E., Monson, D.H., Esslinger, G.G., Kloecker, K., Bodkin, J., Bowen, L., and Miles, A.K., 2014, 2013 update on sea otter studies to assess recovery from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1030, 40 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141030. ISSN 2331ISSN -1258 Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. Executive SummaryOn March 24, 1989, the tanker vessel Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling an estimated 42 million liters of Prudhoe Bay crude oil. Oil spread in a southwesterly direction and was deposited on shores and waters in western Prince William Sound (WPWS). The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) was one of more than 20 nearshore species considered to have been injured by the spill. Since 1989, the U.S. Geological Survey has led a research program to evaluate effects of the spill on sea otters and assess progress toward recovery, as defined by demographic and biochemical indicators. Here, we provide an update on the status of sea otter populations in WPWS, presenting findings through 2013. To assess recovery based on demographic indicators, we used aerial surveys to estimate abundance and annual collections of sea otter carcasses to evaluate patterns in ages-at-death. To assess recovery based on biochemical indicators, we quantified transcription rates for a suite of genes selected as potential indicators of oil exposure in sea otters based on laboratory studies of a related species, the mink (Mustela vison). In our most recent assessment of sea otter recovery, which incorporated results from a subset of studies through 2009, we concluded that recovery of sea otters in WPWS was underway. This conclusion was based on increasing abundance throughout WPWS, including increasing numbers at northern Knight Island, an area that was heavily oiled in 1989 and where the local sea otter population had previously shown protracted injury and lack of recovery. However, we did not conclude that the WPWS sea otter population had fully recovered, due to indications of continuing reduced survival and exposure to lingering oil in sea otters at Knight Island, at least through 2009. Based on data available through 2013, we now conclude that the status of sea otters-at all spatial scales within WPWS-is consistent with the designation of recovery fro...

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“…A study published in January 8 found that oil from the spill persists today in anoxic layers of soil on nearby beaches. Animals such as sea ducks and otters in the affected areas showed boosted levels of liver enzymes, a marker for hydrocarbons, for at least a decade afterwards 9,10 .…”

Section: Probing the Wetlandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deepwater Horizon: After the oil

Mascarelli¹

2010

Nature

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Long-term persistence of oil from the Exxon Valdez spill in two-layer beaches

Cited by 198 publications

References 23 publications

Groundwater dynamics in subterranean estuaries of coastal unconfined aquifers: Controls on submarine groundwater discharge and chemical inputs to the ocean

Groundwater dynamics in subterranean estuaries of coastal unconfined aquifers: Controls on submarine groundwater discharge and chemical inputs to the ocean

2013 update on sea otter studies to assess recovery from the 1989 <i>Exxon Valdez</i> oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska

Deepwater Horizon: After the oil

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