Biomarkers to monitor oil and gas industrial activities in the deep Norwegian Sea ecosystem, Postdr.stip.

Project summary: As oil gas development in the deep Norwegian sea gains momentum, reliable environmental monitoring tools are required to identify the potential impact of oil exploration and production on organisms inhabiting this ecosystem. Most of the research with rega rd to bio-monitoring the marine ecosystem has been performed in temperature ranging from 10 to 15 grader C in shallow water. Little is known about the potential impact of chemicals on deep-sea organisms living from 1500m down to ca. 3000m experiencing 150 to 300 bars pressure and low temperature below ca. 4 grader C. Herein, we propose to investigate biomarker responses in the abundant deep-sea amphipod, Eurythenes gryllus, exposed to poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) via two methods of exposure where we w ill consider the effect of pressure on the biomarker response. Three main biomarkers located at different level of biological organisation and related to oxidative stress, will be considered in the study;totoal oxyradical scavenging capacity assay (TOSC), cellular membranes stability (lipid peroxidation) and respiration rate. Three main activities will performed: i)background levels of TOSC, respiration rate and pollutant levels (PAH, POP, heavy metal) will be m easured in amphipods sampled in the Norwegian sea, ii)the amphipods will be exposed in situ (ca. 2000 m deep) to PAH contaminated bait for a week and biomarker respons and accumulated PAH measured. iii)the amphipods will be exposed to PAH contaminated ba it for a week at atomospheric pressure in the laboratory, biomarker responses and accumulated chemicals will be measured. Both experiments will be compared to evaluate the effect of the pressure on the responses measured. This should contribute to a preli minary basis for oil and gas industries for bio-monitoring their activities in the deep sea.