Sensitivity and response of Macquarie Island plants to fuel contaminants (germination and early growth endpoints)

Seeds of twelve plant species were collected from Macquarie Island during January and February 2013. The seeds were used in a series of laboratory-based tests during 2013, at the University of Wollongong. Tests were conducted to determine species suitably for use in laboratory-based toxicity testing, using germination success and seedling growth (shoot and root length) as end points. Two soil types (containing low and high organic carbon contents) were used, to reflect the variable organic carbon content found in soils at Macquarie Island. Test soils were spiked with Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) diesel fuel and aged for 14 days to generate a concentration series of SAB-contaminated soils. Exposure doses were quantified as the concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH, nC9-nC18) on a soil dry mass basis. Based on germination success in initial trials, four species (Colobanthus muscoides Hook.f., Deschampsia sp., Epilobium pendunculare A.Cunn. and Luzula crinita Hook.f.) were included in definitive toxicity tests.

Description of files provided:

- FILE: GabriellaMacoustra_Germination.xlsx
Excel data file providing results of germination trials. Includes test development data (germination response of test species on test substrates without addition of fuel toxicants).
- FILE: GabriellaMacoustra_Growth.xlsx
Excel data file providing results of germination trials. Provides measurements from image analysis of roots and shoots of plants used in germination trials.
- FILE: GabriellaMacoustra_Soil Characterisation.xlsx
Excel data file providing soil characterisation data for the two soil substrates (sandy and peaty) used in the germination trials. Includes spiked fuel concentrations and a range of physicochemical properties.
- FILE: Macoustra 2013_Thesis.pdf
PDF file of University of Wollongong Honours thesis submitted by Gabriella Macoustra 2013.
- FILES (Field and lab notebook scans): Notebook-Field_42420.pdf, Notebook-Field_42422.pdf, Notebook-Field_42398.pdf, Notebook-Lab_101036.pdf.
Four scanned PDF files of field notes taken by Corrine de Mestre, related to seed collections on Macquarie Island during 2012/13.