The importance of the planktonic ecosystem of the North Sea in the context of oil and gas development

Abstract

From the Abstract: “Since 1948 the plankton of the North Sea has been monitored at a depth of 10 m by the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey. Results for two large areas which encompass the Brent, Beryl and Forties oilfields are presented. Between 1948 and 1982 the plankton of these areas showed similar large changes in population structure in both phytoplankton and zooplankton with almost tenfold changes in levels of biomass during this 35 year period. The developent of oil-related activities is discussed in relation to the plankton time-series with comments on possible causes of the changes which are believed to be the result of natural variability.”