Long-term ecosystem repsonse to the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Science
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Abstract

The ecosystem response to the 1989 spill of oil from the Exxon Valdez into Prince William Sound, Alaska, shows that current practices for assessing ecological risks of oil in the oceans and, by extension, other toxic sources should be changed. Previously, it was assumed that impacts to populations derive almost exclusively from acute mortality. However, in the Alaskan coastal ecosystem, unexpected persistence of toxic subsurface oil and chronic exposures, even at sublethal levels, have continued to affect wildlife. Delayed population reductions and cascades of indirect effects postponed recovery. Development of ecosystem-based toxicology is required to understand and ultimately predict chronic, delayed, and indirect long-term risks and impacts.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Long-term ecosystem repsonse to the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Series title Science
DOI 10.1126/science.1084282
Volume 302
Issue 5653
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher AAAS
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Alaska Biological Science Center
Description 5 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Science
First page 2082
Last page 2086
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Prince William Sound
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