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MARINFORSK-Marine ressurser og miljø

Vulnerable habitats and species in petroleum resource management: impact of sediment exposure on Arctic sponge grounds

Tildelt: kr 8,7 mill.

Exploration for oil is moving further northward into areas previously covered in Arctic Sea ice. Ares in northern Norway are well known to science for their large aggregations of sponges (i.e. sponge grounds) and more recently have been classified as vulnerable habitats by UNEP. Increased petroleum-related activities will lead to an increase discharge of drilling waste to these vulnerable habitats. The proposed research project aims to investigate the effects of long-term discharges of drilling wastes on sponges and the implications this may have for the functioning of sponge grounds. Between 2014 and 2017 this project has undertaken consecutive experiments to increase our understanding on how key sponge ground forming species (Geodia Barretti, Stryphnus Fortis and Hexadella detritifera) repond to key components of oil drilling releases (Barite and Bentonite). Key biological, physiological and microbial processes have been measure for these species. Results from these experiments indicate that exposure to key drilling muds (bentonite and barite) and natural sediments for 30 days at ecologically relevant concentrations (10mg/L) can induce cellular, physiological and microbial stress responses, however, with the exception of metabolism and sulfate reduction, the majority of these end points measured can recover within 30 days after exposure. The results are similar across three different studied species including Geodia Barretti, Stryphnus Fortis and Hexadella detritifera. Understanding these responses,are crucial to evaluate the vulnerability of sponge grounds and changes in their ecological functioning (i.e. nutrient cycling and benthic pelagic coupling) during anthropogenic stress. The knowledge generated in this project is needed for developing effective management strategies to mitigate negative effects of petroleum- related activities on vulnerable marine ecosystem in Arctic and Boreal regions. The release of suspended drilling wastes near ecologically important sponge grounds should be minimised to prevent negative consequences to their ecological functioning.

Exploration for oil is moving further northward into areas previously covered in Arctic Sea ice. Northern Arctic areas of Norway are well known to science for their large aggregations of sponges (i.e. sponge grounds) and more recently have been classified as vulnerable habitats by UNEP. Increased petroleum-related activities will lead to an increase discharge of drilling waste to these vulnerable habitats. The proposed research project aims to investigate the effects of long-term discharges of drilling wa stes on sponges and the implications this may have for the functioning of sponge grounds. This project will expand on existing scientific knowledge generated from two national projects, SPONGRAM (2008-2011) and RESPONSE (2011-2015) that have both invest igated physiological and molecular stress responses of deep-water sponges to oil drilling discharges. This new project (SedExSponge) specifically targets three dominant sponge species found in Arctic regions. Using these model species, this project will e lucidate the effects of suspended drilling wastes (different concentrations and durations of exposure) on biological (i.e. physiological and histopathological) and microbial functioning of cold-water sponges. Understanding these responses, will be crucial to evaluate the vulnerability of sponge grounds and changes in their ecological functioning (i.e. nutrient cycling and benthic pelagic coupling) during anthropogenic stress. Definition of threshold values for both concentration of suspended drilling wast es and duration of exposure will be used to develop a predictive ecosystem based model. This knowledge is needed for developing effective management strategies to mitigate negative effects of petroleum- related activities on vulnerable marine ecosystem in the Arctic.

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MARINFORSK-Marine ressurser og miljø