Table 2.2.2 Comparison of significant stress factors 

 Stress Factor Alaska 



Brackish salinity 

 (stressful for both 



fresh and saltwater 



organisms) 



Brackish salinity Occurs in isolated areas 



such as bays within 

 l'i i ace William Sound and 

 varies greatly with time 

 and depth (3-4m fresh 

 water lens forms from 

 glacial and snow melt and 

 run-off J 



2. Salinity fluctuations Significant in isolated 



areas: seasonal and de- 

 pendent on mixing 



Low temperature 

 of bottom water 



Sediment load 



5. Other pollutants 



Significant seasonal 

 variation inshore, but 

 not in deeper waters 



Seasonally high from 

 glacial runoff and ad- 

 jacent to major river 

 systems, such as the 

 Yukon and Copper Rivers 



Low 



Baltic (spill area) 



R< Latively uniform through- 

 out local areas; constant 

 stress for most organisms. 



Sma 1 1 : allows even 

 stressed organisms to 

 exist beyond their 

 normal range. 



Relatively constant with 

 time and location. 



Low 



Significant 



Table 2.2.3 Factors affecting the elimination of oil from the environment 



Factor 



Oxygen deficiency of 

 bottom water 



Alaska 



Rare (only in isolated 

 bays in Aleutians) 



Baltic (spill area) 



Significant below halocline: 

 very thin oxidized layer, 

 sometimes totally anaerobic 

 conditions 



Tide and wave energy 

 (Combined) 



Turnover of water mass 



High along outer coastal 

 areas (but variable with 

 area; low in the Arctic). 



Frequent, typically 

 well mixed 



Low 



Less frequent: pronounced 

 thermocline and halocline 



Other factors (bacteria, 



photo-oxidation, penetrability 

 of bottom sediments, etc.) 



differences not well known 



37 



