Biological monitoring of sediments in the Ekofisk Oilfield

Abstract

From the Abstract: “A biological monitoring scheme for the Ekofisk oilfield was initiated in 1973, based on intensive quatitative sampling of the benthic macrofauna community close to the installations.” From Conclusions: “1) The techniques used have been adequate to define the magnitude and extent of the changes which have occurred in the macrobenthic community. 2) There is little doubt that the observed changes in community structure are due to industrial activity in the area. 3) The area affected has increased from 1975 to 1977 and now extends to a maximum of approximately 3 km away from the central storage and production complex. 4) There is a gradient of effect away from the storage-production complex and B platform. 5) The exact causes of the observed changes are not certain, but oil pollution and physical disturbance are suggested as the agents most likely to be responsible. Whilst the blow-out on B platform may well have been a factor contributing to the observed increase in area affected, it has not been possible to attribute any changes specifically to the incident.”