Figure 29. Edge of oil treated pond showing damage to terrestrial 

 vegetation where oil spill was introduced. 



litter was negligible, although small spills on terrestrial peat near the pond were absorbed readily. 

 However, the above-ground vegetation was killed as illustrated by the dark area in the lower right 

 hand corner of Figure 29. 



For the month previous to the oil spill routine observations were made of the pond's physical 

 regime including air, water, and sediment temperatures and depth of thaw and water level: for 

 water chemistry including nitrc^en and phosphorus nutrients, pH, and alkalinity; and for biological 

 determinations including primary productivity, chlorophyll, and seston weights. Monitoring of these 

 parameters was continued into September. 



High temperatures and dissolved oxygen depletion occurred in shallow water beneath the oil; 

 however, determination of the degree to which oil is responsible for this awaits the analysis of 

 data which have been collected in shallow water in control ponds. Fauna in Pond E were affected 

 to some degree by the oil application. A massive and complete mortality of tadpole slirimp 

 (Lepidurus sp.) occurred with the addition of the oil, and fairy shrimp {Branchinecta sp.) no longer 

 could be found ten days after the spill, although they remained abundant in the adjacent control 

 ponds. Conclusions concerning the impact of the oil on plankton productivity and nutrient cycling 

 await completion of the analytical work. 



Cape Simpson oil seeps 



Terrestrial. After a reconnaissance flight over several of the natural oil seeps in the vicinity 

 of Simpson, it was decided that several seeps near Cape Simpson were the most promising fa 

 biological studies. A short reconnaissance visit was made to seep A (Fig. 30) in early June by 

 Brown, Benoit and McCown. During the period 18-20 July, a more detailed series of observations 

 and samples were conducted with McCown, Murrmann, Hunt and Barsdate. Shortly thereafter McGaw 

 and Haugen installed a temperature recording system. 



79 



