Introduction
Petroleum and coral reefs
Major oil spills have not yet affected Australian coral reefs, but shipping routes and drilling platforms are often in close proximity to coral reefs within Australian waters. Shallow water production platforms in the tropics have the potential, via continuous discharge of production formation water (PFW), to deliver hydro carbons and heavy metals into coral reef ecosystems. In addition, shipping, production facilities and pipelines are potential sources of chronic and acute oil contamination. Floating oil may be deposited onto a reef as it becomes exposed at low tide, droplets of oil may be dispersed in the water column, or droplets adsorbed onto suspended solids in the water column may settle onto the reef (Teal and Howarth, 1984). Management options to mitigate large spills include the use of surfactants that disperse floating slicks. The application of dispersants however is likely to increase hydrocarbon concentration in the water column (Lunel, 1995), thereby increasing the exposure of benthic reef organisms.