Oil and gas platforms degrade benthic invertebrate diversity and food web structure

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172536
• Publication Date: 2024-04-19T06:08:07Z
• Authors: Zelin Chen; Tom C. Cameron; Elena Couce; Clement Garcia; Natalie Hicks; Gareth E. Thomas; Murray S.A. Thompson; Corinne Whitby; Eoin J. O'Gorman
• Keywords: Dominance (genetics); Detritivore; Benthos

Oil and gas exploitation introduces toxic contaminants such as hydrocarbons heavy metals to the surrounding sediment, resulting in deleterious impacts on marine benthic communities. This study combines monitoring data over a 30-year period North Sea with dietary information >1400 taxa quantify effects of active oil platforms food webs using multiple before-after control-impact experiment. Contamination from caused declines web complexity, community abundance, biodiversity. Fewer trophic interactions increased connectance indicated that became dominated by generalists adapting alternative resources, leading simpler but more connected contaminated environments. Decreased mean body mass, shorter chain lengths, dominance small detritivores Capitella capitata near structures suggested disproportionate loss larger organisms higher levels. These patterns were associated concentrations exceed OSPAR's guideline thresholds sediment toxicity. provides new evidence better manage environmental consequences at sea.