Skip to content

Pollution

Gulf coral damaged by Deepwater Horizon oil spill

by Dave Armstrong 29 Mar 2012
Gulf coral damaged by Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Close up of the coral polyps of the gorgonian Paramuricea, as they would appear when open, in normal conditions - Coral polyps image via Shutterstock

Macondo well oil from the Deepwater Horizon blowout has been found on deep-water corals that are 1370 feet down and 11km away. The sensitivity of these mucus-secreting animals means that water currents passing through the community can be assessed with hindsight. Often, no deposits of certain hydrocarbons were left, but these ancient sessile corals preserve their history from a thousand years ago.

The corals in this particular area looked unhealthy and skeletons were free of encrustation, meaning they died recently. The premise that recent waterborne pollution had impacted the community was made, although a coincidence is possible. No other such corals have been impacted. Biomarkers (hopanes in particular) in the floc from the affected organisms also could have originated only the Deepwater Horizon spill.

Healthy deep-water coral communities observed in November 2010 from various sites

Healthy deep-water coral communities observed in November 2010 from various sites >20km from the Macondo well (shown as a star on map). (A) Paramuricea sp. type E and Asteroschema sp. at 360 m depth in Garden Banks (GB) 299; (B) Paramuricea sp. type E and Asteroschema sp. at 440 m depth in Mississippi Canyon (MC) 751; (C) Paramuricea sp. type A and Eumunida picta at 530 m depth in Green Canyon (GC) 354; (D) Paramuricea sp. type E and Asteroschema sp., along with a brisingid basket star at 360 m depth in Viosca Knoll (VK) 906; (E) P. biscaya and A. clavigerum at 2,300 m depth in DesotoCanyon (DC) 673; Credit: PNAS

Gorgonian corals such as Paramuricea biscaya were dominant in a central 10x12m area. They were under stress, with excessive mucus production, some skeleton bared and the polyps retracted. Four levels of stress impact were recorded (up to a maximum of 4) in 86% of the corals. During the course of the investigation, only one colony showed signs of some recovery. Otherwise no regrowth or deterioration seemed to occur.

The team looked for positive signs but most indications were bleak for the coral. When the team sampled other animals on the coral, the anemones were found to be bleached in parts, while the ophiurids (brittle stars) were strangely and tightly coiled around their host coral, with some recovering later in the study.

It could be that these deep water corals are more sensitive indicators of pollution than marine sediment cores which have been used to date. Many other such corals in the Gulf of Mexico have not been damaged. Their slow growth rate and the water currents within the Gulf may have protected them so far, with more damage to take place as the hydrocarbons circulate.

Otherwise, only this area has been affected in this way, albeit seriously. Certainly, this alternative to studying marine sediments provides biological indications that could help other organisms as we realise precise effects within the whole ecosystem.

Lead author Helen K. White et al published their study and findings 'Impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on a deep-water coral community in the Gulf of Mexico' in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping