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Temporal and spatial variation in solar radiation and photo-enhanced toxicity risks of spilled oil in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA

  1. Mace G. Barron1,*,
  2. Deborah Vivian1,
  3. Susan H. Yee1,
  4. Steve A. Diamond2

Article first published online: 9 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1897/07-317.1

Issue

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Volume 27, Issue 3, pages 727–736, March 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Barron, M. G., Vivian, D., Yee, S. H. and Diamond, S. A. (2008), Temporal and spatial variation in solar radiation and photo-enhanced toxicity risks of spilled oil in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27: 727–736. doi: 10.1897/07-317.1

Author Information

  1. 1

    Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561

  2. 2

    Mid-Continent Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804

*Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561; This manuscript is contribution 1300 of the Gulf Ecology Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Office of Research and Development's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory. It has been reviewed by the U.S. EPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory(Gulf Breeze, FL), but the information in this document does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. EPA.; Published on the Web 11/5/2007

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 9 DEC 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 19 SEP 2007
  4. Manuscript Received: 22 MAY 2007

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Keywords:

  • Phototoxicity;
  • Oil;
  • Risk;
  • Ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

Solar irradiance (W/m2) and downwelling diffuse attenuation coefficients (Kd; 1/m) were determined in several locations in Prince William Sound (AK, USA) between April 2003 and December 2005 to assess temporal and spatial variation in solar radiation and the risks of photo-enhanced toxicity from spilled oil. Weekly irradiance measurements of surface visible light, ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation in Valdez (AK, USA) followed expected trends of maximum solar irradiance at each summer solstice and minimum values at each winter solstice. Variation from weekly maximum expected surface irradiances was attributed to large variations in environmental conditions over the 142-week monitoring period. Season and proximity to glacial meltwater were significant determinants of Kd, with 1% attenuation depths ranging from 0.4 to 15 m (UVB and UVA) and from 0.5 to 28 m (visible light). The probability of photo-enhanced toxicity risks estimated from UVA dosimetry decreased with increasing water depth, with higher risks during spring and summer and lower risks during fall and winter. These results demonstrate substantial temporal and spatial variation in solar radiation in Prince William Sound and the potential for significant season- and location-specific photo-enhanced toxicity risks from spilled oil.

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