Chemical (PAH analytes) and biological (plankton, neuston) assays of sea surface microlayer and subsurface waters, offshore of Pensacola and Fort Myers, 2011-2012.

We performed chemical and bioassays of sea surface microlayer, subsurface water, neuston and plankton collected along two transect across the west Florida shelf. Assays included: Ex situ screening bioassays of SSML and subsurface water (0.5 m and mid-depth) using: modified Microtox Assay 22-hr exposure (Vibrio fischeri bacteria), 48-hr exposure of copepods (Acartia tonsa), 48-hr exposure of early life stages (ELS) of urchins (Lytechinus variegatus). Chemical assays were done on water samples for PAHs (in collaboration with France’s Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution) and a component of COREXIT (i.e., DOSS; contract laboratory: ALS | Environmental, Kelso, WA). Analyses of wild-caught neuston and plankton included: 1) chemical assays of PAHs residues in bulk neuston/plankton, 2) biochemical assays on bulk neuston/plankton for enzyme induction (e.g., EROD, etc.; in collaboration with Florida A&M University).