Spatiotemporal changes and recovery of benthic macroinvertebrate communities after the Hebei Spirit oil spill in the subtidal area around the Taean Peninsula in South Korea

Marine oil pollution is a significant environmental issue that significantly threatens ocean ecosystems. It occurs frequently and has devastating consequences for marine life, coastal habitats, and human communities. We examined the recovery of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in shallow subtidal areas following the Hebei Spirit oil spill around the Taean Peninsula, South Korea, in 2007. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected seasonally from 15 survey sites between 2008 and 2015. Immediately after the spill in 2008, species richness and density of benthic macroinvertebrates decreased by 66.7 % and 37.0 %, respectively, compared to before the oil spill in 2007. Cluster analysis based on benthic macroinvertebrate communities delineated the communities from 2008 to 2009 as a distinct cluster characterized by markedly low species richness. Communities from other periods exhibited spatiotemporal variability based on the sampling location and sediment characteristics. By 2011, species richness and density had recovered to levels similar to those in 2007, which was particularly pronounced regarding the resurgence of arthropods and mollusks. Notably, populations of amphipods that are particularly sensitive to oil, such as Urothoe sp. and Byblis spp., showed signs of recovery in 2011; however, recovery of the benthic community at the site nearest to the oil spill area, was not evident until July 2013, as indicated by the benthic opportunistic polychaete amphipod index. This underscores that prolonged time periods are required for communities to fully recuperate after oil spills. •The benthic macroinvertebrate communities bore the brunt of the oil spill's impact.•The communities exhibited recovery by 2011, marked by notable increases in arthropods and mollusks.•The populations of Urothoe sp. and Byblis spp. steadily increased, reaching recovery by 2011.•Anomalous responses from opportunistic polychaetes were observed 2–3 years post the oil spill accident.•Recovery of the benthic community closest to the oil spill site was not evident until July 2013.