Trait-dependent variability of the response of marine phytoplankton to oil and dispersant exposure

TitleTrait-dependent variability of the response of marine phytoplankton to oil and dispersant exposure
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsBretherton L, Hillhouse J, Kamalanathan M, Finkel ZV, Irwin AJ, Quigg A
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume153
Pagination110906
ISSN18793363
KeywordsChemical dispersants, Chlorophyll, crude oil, Photosynthesis, phytoplankton, RCC1614, Trait-based analysis
Abstract

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill released millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, and saw widespread use of the chemical dispersant Corexit. We assessed the role of traits, such as cell size, cell wall, motility, and mixotrophy on the growth and photosynthetic response of 15 phytoplankton taxa to oil and Corexit. We collected growth and photosynthetic data on five algal cultures. These responses could be separated into resistant (Tetraselmis astigmatica, Ochromonas sp., Heterocapsa pygmaea) and sensitive (Micromonas pusilla, Prorocentrum minimum). We combined this data with 10 species previously studied and found that cell size is most important in determining the biomass response to oil, whereas motility/mixotrophy is more important in the dispersed oil. Our analysis accounted for a third of the variance observed, so further work is needed to identify other factors that contribute to oil resistance.

URLhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110906
DOI10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110906