WP3: Experimental studies on the environmental impact of spills to the marine environment on aquatic organisms

The experimental studies are carried out as part of a PhD study. The laboratory studies will:

• Determine toxic effects and concentrations of spills from fuels on marine organisms, including seabirds and aquatic organisms.
• Determine the effects of fuel spills on nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) dynamics, algal blooms and oxygen depletion in the marine environment.
• Investigate the degradation and turnover of fuel spills in the marine environment, interaction between sea and atmosphere e.g. release of nitrous oxide from the turnover of ammonia waste.

Input from the experimental work will, among other things, contribute to modelling of the spread and effects of spills in the marine environment, including determining the size and duration of effects. The modelling will be based on various representative scenarios for e.g. inland waters, inlets, funnel-shaped fjords, open waters, oxygen depletion and eutrophication. The modelling will contribute to understanding environmental effect concentrations and the designation of sensitive areas and sailing routes.