Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Baselines in Gulf of Mexico Fishes

Authors

Erin Pulster, University of South FloridaFollow
Adolfo Gracia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Susan M. Snyder, University of South Florida
Isabel Romero, University of South FloridaFollow
Brigid Carr, University of South FloridaFollow
Gerardo Toro-Farmer, University of South FloridaFollow
Steven Murawski, University of South FloridaFollow

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2020

Keywords

PAHs, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Gulf of Mexico, Ixtoc 1, Deepwater Horizon, Oil spill baselines

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org//10.1007/978-3-030-12963-7_15

Abstract

The lack of baseline data has hindered the assessment of impacts from large-scale oil spills throughout their history. Baseline data collected before an adverse event such as an oil spill are critical for quantifying impacts and understanding recovery rates to pre-spill levels. In the case of the two largest oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), Deepwater Horizon and Ixtoc 1, the lack of comprehensive contaminant baselines limits our ability to project when the ecosystem will return to pre-spill conditions and assess the short- and long-term impacts of contamination on ecosystems. Beginning in 2011, we initiated comprehensive sampling in the GoM to develop broad-scale and Gulf-wide hydrocarbon contaminant baselines primarily targeting continental shelf fishes in the USA, Mexico, and Cuba. We also developed a time series of collections over 7 years from the region in which DWH occurred. In the event there is another oil spill in the GoM, the samples from these baselines will provide broad-scale but not installation-specific baseline information for the assessment of impact and recovery. This chapter provides a summary of historical sampling and current baseline data for pelagic, mesopelagic, and demersal fish in the GoM. Further, we outline the importance of ongoing and more specific collection of monitoring data for hydrocarbon pollution.

Comments

Data used in this book chapter are available for download.

Biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) equivalents for 92 species of fish collected aboard multiple research and fishing vessels in the Gulf of Mexico from 2011-08-16 to 2018-08-22

Pathological findings in red snapper livers collected aboard multiple R/V Weatherbird II cruises in the north central region, Gulf of Mexico from 2012-08-13 to 2017-08-01

Hepatic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in groupers collected aboard multiple research and fishing vessels in the Gulf of Mexico from 2011-07-07 to 2017-07-30

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in liver tissue of golden tilefish collected aboard multiple R/V Weatherbird II cruises in the Gulf of Mexico from 2012-08-13 to 2017-08-01

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Baselines in Gulf of Mexico Fishes, in S. A. Murawski, C. H. Ainsworth, S. Gilbert, D. J. Hollander, C. B. Paris, M. Schlüter & D. L. Wetzel (Eds.), Scenarios and Responses to Future Deep Oil Spills: Fighting the Next War, Springer, p. 253-271

Scholar Commons Citation

Pulster, Erin; Gracia, Adolfo; Snyder, Susan M.; Romero, Isabel; Carr, Brigid; Toro-Farmer, Gerardo; and Murawski, Steven, "Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Baselines in Gulf of Mexico Fishes" (2020). C-IMAGE Publications. 171.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cimage_pubs/171