The impact of two oil spill events on the water quality along coastal area of Kenting National Park, southern Taiwan. Issue 2 (30th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Chung-Chi; Tew, Kwee Siong; Ho, Ping-Ho; Ko, Fung-Chi; Hsieh, Hung-Yen; Meng, Pei-Jie
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 124:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 974
• Page End: 983
• Publication Date: 2017-11-30
• Subjects: Oil spill -- Water quality -- Blooming -- PAHs -- Seawater; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: In 2009, the container ship Colombo Queen and the oil tanker W-O BUDMO grounded off Jialeshui and Houwan, respectively, in southern Taiwan. Water quality was monitored at each site to evaluate the environmental impact caused by the resulting oil spills. The results show that the PAHs, turbidity, and other nutrients increased shortly after oil spill, however levels of these parameters eventually returned to baseline levels. On the other hand, DO saturation, pH and chl. a decreased initially, reached maxima after 10 days, and returned to the baseline levels after 14 days. The chl. a concentration, pH and DO saturation fluctuated in a similar pattern at both sites during the oil spills, likely driven by algal blooms. In this study, we documented a full environmental recovery at coastal areas before, during and after the oil spills. Highlights: Two ships grounded off southern Taiwan, resulting in oil spills. PAHs, ammonia, and nutrient concentrations increased after the oil spill. DO saturation, pH and chl. a concentration decreased initially but soon recovered. High Chl. a, pH and DO, implying algal blooming.