Observations of a Cold-Water Intertidal Community After 5 Years of a Low-Level, Persistent Oil Spill from the General M.C. Meigs

Abstract

A rich and productive intertidal community was exposed continually for over 5 yr to small quantities of a Navy Special fuel oil from the unmanned troopship General M.C. Meigs that came aground on the Washington coast in January 1972. Observations of animal and plant populations and their petroleum hydrocarbon uptake patterns showed early evidence of contamination and the persistence of the oil spill throughout the study period. Abnormal and dead urchins, and loss of algal fronds and pigment were observed in localized areas near the wreck for at least 1 yr. Within 2 mo of the accident, paraffinic hydrocarbons had been taken up by prominent members of the community and continued to appear in certain species even after 5 yr. Although changes were seen in certain species during the early days of this persistent low-level pollution incident, the community balance in this rocky, intertidal ecosystem does not appear to have been markedly altered. Key words: oil spill, hydrocarbons, General M.C. Meigs, petroleum contamination, biological effects