Effects of Petroleum Releases on Bacterial Numbers and Microheterotrophic Activity in the Water and Sediment of an Arctic Marine Ecosystem

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Author: Bunch, J.N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1987
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Bottom sediments; Canada. Baffin Island Oil Spill Project; Carbon; Chemical oceanography; Chlorophyll; Composition; Environmental impacts; Heterotrophic bacteria; Marine oil spills; Ocean temperature; Petroleum; Salinity; Sea water; Hatt; Cape; waters; Nunavut; Ragged Channel; Arctic; Baffin Island; Canada; Cape Hatt; Northwest Territories; Arctique*; Baffin
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/64866

The effects of petroleum slick and chemically dispersed petroleum on bacterial numbers and microheterotrophic activity (uptake of glutamic acid by heterotrophic microorganisms) were monitored in the water column and sediments of selected bays at Cape Hatt, Northwest Territories. Observations were made between 1980 and 1983 as a component study of the Baffin Island Oil Spill (BIOS) Project. These data were augmented by measurements of chlorophyll a, particulate and dissolved organic carbon and inorganic nutrients in the water column, while total organic carbon (TOC) was measured in the sediments in some years.Key words: Arctic, marine, bacteria, microheterotrophic, petroleum, sediment, oil spill, effects, dispersant Mots clés: Arctique, marin, bactérie, microhétérotrophe, pétrole, sédiment, déversement de pétrole, effets, dispersant