Impact of water-based drilling mud in the Barents Sea: a study using the epibenthic coral species Lophelia pertusa

The search for exploitable reserves of fossil fuels has now reached the Arctic regions and this will be accompanied by drilling operations. Current legislation by SFT strictly limits drilling discharges to that from the top hole sections in the Barents Se a. Discharges to the sea will be limited but small particles of clay and weighting material following drilling activities may disturb the functioning of key species, specially epibenthic filter-feeders of this ecosystem. This needs more documentation. In this project, we will focus on the possible effects of drilling discharges in the coral Lophelia pertusa. Laboratory exposures will create both continuous (to compare with the previous NFR projects) and a repetitive pulse (more realistic) scenario of dril ling discharges. Recovery periods will be included to assess the long-term effects after drilling operations are stopped. The project will be divided in three work packages (WP). In WP1, we will first optimize and implement monitoring methods relevant for Lophelia. Also, we will get experience in maintenance of these fragile colonial organisms in the laboratory. In WP2, we will assess the possible effects of drilling discharges on the reproduction biology of this species. This may have important consequen ces for the recruitment of the species. Finally. changes related to physiological, behavioural and feeding impairments of the Lophelia colonies will be investigated in WP3 as a way to study the general impairment on growth. Through an integrative and com plementary work with the partners, this study should significantly contribute to the current political and public environmental issues related to the development of oil & gas industries in northern oceanic regions of the Earth, considered relatively prist ine until now.