Arctic petroleum exposures; total and metabolically active bacterial community dynamics

The samples sequenced were collected during an oil spill experiment performed in the field (Svea, Svalbard). One of the aims of the project was to monitor the long-term fate, behavior, persistence, biodegradation of the oil and impact on the microbial communities, following an oil spill and different response scenarios(natural attenuation,oil+dispersant, in situ burning. Oil exposures were conducted in purpose built semi-contained mesocosms (1,6 m diameter) placed in situ in Van Mijenfjord (Svalbard, Norway) over a single winter and spring season encompassing the peak activity period (including the melting period). Natural environmental conditions prevailed, including, exchange with the atmosphere, exchange with the water column and weathering processes during the winter and spring seasons. The biodegradation process and persistence of the oil was followed from the start of the experiment (February 2015) and monthly for 4 months. In addition, separate oil exposures were set-up to investigate the natural attenuation of the oil on rock surfaces over the same time period.