Oil production and polychaetous annelids in a Louisiana estuary

Abstract

Seasonal samples of sixteen uniform 6250 ml. sampling unit were taken from the bottom at four stations in Timbalier Bay, Louisiana. Two of the stations were located near a production platform and in a field of continuing drilling and reworking of oil wells, respectively and the other two were in control areas.” Conclusion: 1. There seems to be but one polychaetous annelid taxocenosis in the fine sand, silt and clay bottom of Timbalier Bay, consisting of about 20 species, and varying from lace to place more quantitatively than qualitatively. 2) The genera thus far found in the Bay seem to be typical of healthy, unpolluted fine sediment bottoms. 3. Spatial and temporal variation in species composition diversity and biomass thus far demonstrated cannot be correlated with the spatial distribtions of oil production drilling and associated activities