Biological monitoring of the seabed in the forties oilfield

Abstract

This paper described a survey of the benthic macrofauna and sediments of the Forties Oilfield in the North Sea. From the Abstract: “Twenty-five sampling sites were arranged at various distances from the production platforms. The survey revealed a diverse fauna similar in species composition and abundance to that found in the pre-operational survey. Distinct biological gradients were evident which appeared to be related to various in sediment types. Differences in sediment characteristcs showed good correlation with water depth which gradually increased from 90 m to 130 m across the survey area. Hydrocarbon and heavy metal levels were generally found to be very low over the whole field. With the exception of one station which may have suffered physical disturbance, it is concuded that thde industrial activity in the Forties Oilfield over the past four years has had no detectable effect on the benthic macrofauna or sediments in the area.”