Oil spills: The invisible impact on the base of tropical marine food webs

The Brazilian oil spill, from August 2019 to January 2020, was considered the most extensive accident in tropical oceans. We estimated the concentration of oil droplets that may be available for ingestion by microzooplankton. The collection was carried out in three areas: estuarine plume, bay and reef (Tamandare ', Pernambuco coast). We highlight the contribution of coral larvae in the reef region, surpassing the copepods, evidencing a spawning event. Oil droplets were recorded in all the sampled areas, with a high numerical abundance in the plume. Traces of oil ingestion by Brachyura zoea and Calanoida, Paracalanidae and Oithonidae copepods were observed, suggesting that these groups might have an important role in the degradation and final destination of oil dispersed after spills. The vulnerability of the larval phases of crabs and reef-building corals has been hypothesized, suggesting that the negative effects of oil on zooplankton can affect the recruitment of benthic invertebrates.

Automated summary

The Brazilian oil spill from August 2019 to January 2020 was considered the most extensive accident in tropical oceans. The study found that oil droplets were present in all sampled areas, with high numerical abundance in the estuarine plume. There were traces of oil ingestion by various copepods, suggesting their important role in the degradation and final destination of spilled oil.