Smooth or smothering? The self-cleaning potential and photosynthetic effects of oil spill on arctic macro-algae Fucus distichus

Due to increased sea transport and offshore gas and oil exploration, the Arctic is facing an unprecedented risk of marine oil spills. Although beached oil spills can lead to acute and chronic impacts on intertidal ecosystems, the effects of oil spills on macro-algae in Arctic ecosystems is lacking. Here, we assessed the effect and response of the tidal macro-algae Fucus distichus to oiling, i.e. self-cleaning potential by seawater wash and photosynthetic activity. Oiling with four oil types (ANS, Grane, IFO30 and MGO) was simulated by exposing F. distichus tips to oil. Oil removal half-times ranged between 0.8 - 4.5 days, indicating that oiling of macro-algae with the tested oils was short-term. Further, Grane oil mostly inhibited photosynthetic activity whereas oil from ANS, IFO30 and MGO stimulated it. The photosynthetic activity of F. distichus continued to be affected (inhibited or stimulated), even after oil on the tip surface was washed off. •A beached oil spill event was simulated on Disko Island, West Greenland.•Fucus distichus tips were exposed to oiling by four oil types.•Self-cleaning potential was estimated and removal time ranged IFO30 > MGO > ANS > Grane.•Photosynthetic activity was measured as a response to potential toxicity.•Grane inhibited, whereas ANS, IFO30, & MGO stimulated, photosynthetic activity.