330 



Cellular membranes of phytoplankton are damaged by the penetration of hydro- 

 carbon molecules, which leads to the extrusion of cellular contents and to the 

 penetration of oil into the cell. The hydrocarl)ons reduce the transpiration, prolt- 

 ably by blocking the stomas and the intercellular spaces. The effects of oils on 

 respiration are variable, but an increase of respiration is frequently observed, 

 and may be due to an alteration of the mitochondria. This results in an uncou- 

 pling of the exidative phorylation enzymes from the electron transport enzymes 

 and the energy release is lost as heat. As for the detergents, if they are adminis- 

 tered in a rather concentrated solution, their penetration into the plant cells will 

 cause the dissolution of cellular membranes and the extrusion of cellular fluid 

 (FAO, 1970, pt. 2, p. 6; Baker, 1971, p. 6). 



Baker (1971, p. 37) reviewing the literature, noted that weathered Torrey 

 Canyon oil had no apparent effect on photosynthetic activity of green algae, but 

 that green algae treated with fresh crude oil died. Photo.synthesis in kelp 

 {Macrocystis) was reduced when exposed to various petroleum products. 



Benthic organisms are also affected by oil entering on the surface waters. 

 ZoBell (1962, pp. 99-100) reports oil is readily absorbed by clay and silt, and 

 suggests that although absorption of oil by solids renders the oil more susceptible 

 to autobial and microbial oxidation, almost no bacterial decompo.sition occurs 

 after burial. 



Suspended sediments carried by runoff from a major flood entered the Santa 

 Barbara Channel area immediately prior to and after the well blowout. Ad.sorp- 

 tion of oil on the flocctilated suspended particles followed by decomposition was a 

 major factor in carrying much of the oil to the sea floor (Kelpack. 1970). Kinney 

 et al, (1970, p. 92) reported, however, that the glacial silt of Cook Inlet was 

 observed to have no apparent effect on the emulsion properties or the sinking of 

 that Alaskan crude oil. 



In oil-producing areas, oil residues have often been observed on sandy beaches 

 (ZoBell, 1962, p. 100) and in marshes and depths of water to 15.3 m. (Blumer, 

 Sass, et al, 1970, p. 23). A portion of the fuel oil spilled into the harbor at Resolute, 

 Northwest Territories, Canada, late in August 1970 went ashore there. On the 

 basis of a casual sampling on September 3, 1970, the average penetration into 

 the beach material was observed to be about 3 inches (7.6 cm) (Barber. 1971). 

 Such oil may be buried and stay intact for a considerable time, even at the higher 

 temiieratures of the California coast (ZoBell. 1962, p. 100). Ram.seier (Personal 

 communication to D. R. Evans from R. O. Ramseier. 1971 ) , discussing the behavior 

 of oil in the Arctic, noted that practically no aging occurs to oil under ice, 

 emulsification was negligible, and finally the process of biodegradatiou is not 

 active at these temperatures of near 0°C and below. 



Blumer, Sass, et al (1970, p. 2o) reported toxic components of No. 2 fuel oil 

 present in bottom sediments the year following the West Falmouth oil spill and 

 concluded the toxic properties of the oil slowed its biodegradatiou. This same 

 spill providefl a unique opi)ortunity for the study of the immediate and long- 

 term effects of an oil spill on an area where the previously existing environmental 

 ba.se was well known (Blumer, et al, 1971). One effect of the oil in the bottom 

 sediments was to reduce the cohesion of bottom sediments of tidal marshes and the 

 estuary by killing the benthic plants and animals. The resulting erosion spread 

 hydrocarlions to new areas where the process was repeated. Because of the 

 stability of the hydrocarbons in marine organisms and their persistence in bottom 

 sediments, Blumer, et al (1971) concluded that a single oil spill could cause a 

 chronic pollution problem in the vicinity of that spill. 



ZoBell (1069, p. 320), discussing oxygen requirements for oil oxidation, noted 

 that when oil oxidizers are in contact with the normal atmo.^pbere. as at the air- 

 water interface, the supply of oxygen is usually adequate. In areas of intense 

 microbial activity below the water surface, particularly in bottom sediments, 

 oxygen may be a limiting factor. This deiHMids ui)on how rapidly oxygen is con- 

 sume<l and how rapidly it is replenished. Replenishment may be by oxygen dif- 

 fusion, water turbulence, or photosynthetic activity in shallow water. Calculat- 

 ing average BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) requirements for various crude 

 oil fractions, he estimated it would require all of the dissolved oxygen in about 

 320.000 gallons of seawater for the complete oxidation of 1 gallon of crude oil. 

 The comi)lete oxidation of oil would retinire all of the dissolved oxygen in aboiit 

 40 acre feet of seawater assuming replenishment from the atmosphere or photo- 

 synthetic activity. 



Blumer (1970. p. 12) summarizes the potential damage to marine ecology from 

 po'lution with crude oil and oil fractions as follows : 



Direct kill of organisms through coating and asphyxiation. 



