Payne, J. R., J. L. Lambach, G. H. Farmer, C. R. Phillips, M. K. Bechel, J.G. Sutton, and R. R. Sims Jr.
From the Abstract: “This program was conducted to document background hydrocarbon and trace metal levels in selected sediments and benthic fauna, and to monitor potential short and long term changes which may result from exploratory drilling activities
Payne, J. F., L. Fancey, J. Kiceniuk, U. Williams, J. Osborne, and A. Rahimtula
From the Abstract: “The use of oil-based drilling muds has been discouraged in hydrocarbon exploration and production in the marine environment but these muds are presently being used to a considerable degree in the United Kingdom and Norwegian sectors
From the Study Results: “The deep-water (>65 m [210 ft)] seafloor of the project area was predominantly soft bottom and contained a relatively small portion (< 10%) of hard-bottom substrate.
Paine, M. D., E. M. DeBlois, B. W. Kilgour, E. Tracy, P. Pocklington, R. D. Crowley, U. P. Williams, and G. G. Janes
From the Abstract: “This paper describes effects of drilling with water and synthetic-based drilling muds on benthic macro- invertebrates over 10 years at the Terra Nova offshore oil development.
From the Abstract: “As hotspots of local biodiversity in the deep sea, preservation of cold-water coral reef communities is of great importance. In European waters the most extensive reefs are found at depths of 300 – 500 m on the continental margin.
