Deepwater Horizon Impact on Deep-sea Meiofauna Biomass
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Authors
Conrad-Forrest, Nathan
Issue Date
2018
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Biomass , Deepwater Horizon , Meiofauna , Oil spill
Alternative Title
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred in 2010, oil and dispersants were spread across the surface and the deep-sea. Meiofauna community biomass increased regardless of whether the station had signatures of the oil spill or not. Increases in meiofauna biomass possibly indicate a bentho-pelagic coupling of surface waters and benthic communities. The increase in biomass was mainly due to nematode abundance increases and not individual biomass size. In the years following the oil spill, meiofauna community biomass remained elevated compared to pre-spill conditions. Biomass decreased in the years following returning closer to pre-spill values, possibly indicating signs of recovery in the meiofauna community.