Sublethal Impacts of an Oil Spill on Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa seedlings.
On the morning of June 19, 1991, approximately 3, 790 L (1,000 gallons) of heavy fuel oil were spilled into the waters of Port Everglades, Florida. The oil impacted one of several mitigation sites located in John U. Lloyd State Park (JUL). These sites were planted with Rhizophora mangle and Spartina...
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| Format: | Others |
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NSUWorks
1995
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| Online Access: | http://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_stuetd/341 http://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=occ_stuetd |
| Summary: | On the morning of June 19, 1991, approximately 3, 790 L (1,000 gallons) of heavy fuel oil were spilled into the waters of Port Everglades, Florida. The oil impacted one of several mitigation sites located in John U. Lloyd State Park (JUL). These sites were planted with Rhizophora mangle and Spartina alterniflora prior to the spill. Laguncularia racemosa and Avicennia germinans had also established themselves through natural recruitment. After the spill, these seedlings were coated with oil in varying amounts depending upon their location relative to the intervening oil slick and their elevation within the intertidal zone. To assess the impacts of the oil on the mitigation site, measurements were taken on the three species of mangroves. These measurements included: survival, growth rate, development of leaves, foliation, branches, and roots. Results indicated that L. Racemosa seedlings were less tolerant to oil contamination than A. germinans and R. mangle seedlings. In addition, there were some cases where growth stimulations were found in the exposed seedlings. The results from this investigation may aid in the selection of appropriate mangrove species that are to be utilized for wetland restoration sites located near ports, terminals, or refineries which are at high risk for oil pollution. |
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