From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Fate and effects of oil and dispersed oil on mangrove ecosystems in Australia

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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This three-year project (1995-1998) assessed short and long term effects of commonly transported oils and dispersed oils on Australian mangrove flora and fauna. Short term studies were conducted under planthouse and field conditions. Planthouse experiments were carried out at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson. Field studies were carried out at Fisherman's Landing, Port Curtis, near Gladstone, within an area approved for reclamation by the Gladstone Port Authority. Longer term effects were assessed from spill incidents which occurred over the last 30 years at 9 sites around Australia. In planthouse studies, five oils (Bunker C fuel oil, Arabian Light crude, Gippsland Light crude, Thevenard crude, Woodside condensate) and their dispersed mixtures, using four dispersants (Corexit 9580, Corexit 9527, Shell VDC, BP-AB) were applied to four species of mangrove seedlings (Ceriops spp., Rhizophora stylosa, Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum) grown in specially constructed tidal tanks. The response of seedlings was monitored for around five months.In field experiments, oil and dispersed oil treatments were applied on replicated mature plots of Rhizophora stylosa under strictly controlled conditions. Field sites were monitored and sediment cores were collected at 2 days, then 1, 7, 13 and 22 months post-spill. The composition and concentration of hydrocarbons in the sediment cores at various depths were measured and evaluated.In the field study, the impact of oil and dispersed oil treatments on key flora and fauna was also evaluated. Leaf biomass, and mortality rates of mature Rhizophora stylosa trees and seedlings were measured. The impact on both epifauna and infauna was measured in terms of species diversity, density, biomass and mortality. The presence of Grapsid crabs from the time of oiling to 22 months afterwards was monitored. Oil, washed ashore after accidents in regular operations of the petroleum and shipping transport industries can cause significant damage to coastal marine ecosystems, particularly those in the intertidal zone. In Australia, mangroves dominate intertidal shorelines on most of the continent. Mangrove forests are extremely vulnerable to oil spills since oil deposits on above-ground breathing roots, subsurface feeding roots, and a myriad of associated fauna. This project was undertaken to assess short and long term impacts on mangroves of oils and dispersants used in Australian waters, particularly regarding their effect on predominant mangrove species in this country; Avicennia marina and Rhizophora stylosa. Findings from all studies were used to form the basis for improved guidelines and recommendations for the protection, cleanup, and restoration of oiled mangrove habitat around Australia, and elsewhere.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Fate and effects of oil and dispersed oil on mangrove ecosystems in Australia
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/7435d014-5b0c-441d-9c90-df651c48a382
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
adc@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 20/11/2017
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [
        151.15,
        -23.8
      ],
      [
        151.233333,
        -23.8
      ],
      [
        151.233333,
        -23.783333
      ],
      [
        151.15,
        -23.783333
      ],
      [
        151.15,
        -23.8
      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Fate and effects of oil and dispersed oil on mangrove ecosystems in Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/fate-and-effects-of-oil-and-dispersed-oil-on-mangrove-ecosystems-in-australia1