The coral Lophelia pertusa, which is widespread in the Atlantic at depths between 150 m to 1500 m, was found growing on oil platforms in the North Sea and on the Brent Spar oil-storage buoy during its decommisioning. These findings indicate that Lophelia has a wider distrubution and grows more rapidely than previously believed, and have also implications for the licensing of oil exploration in the Atlantic Ocean and the perceived benefits of onshore dismantling of deep-water platforms. Greenpeace contends that the British department of Trade and Industry failed to consider whether licensed oil-producing areas that may contain Lophelia should be designated as potential special areas of conservation according to the European Commision's Species Habitat Directive. Lophelia seems not to be affected by discharges from oil platforms. The occurence of the coral raises questions about how to deal with this species which is listed under the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Leaving the footings of large platforms in place would preserve existing colonies and might allow Lophelia to spread in the North Sea.
Coral growing on North Sea oil rigs
Nature ; 402 , 6762 ; 601
1999
1 Seite, 1 Bild, 10 Tabellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
Rigs to reefs, the North Sea perspective
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