Report on Biopsy Collections from Specimens collected from the Surrounds of the West Atlas Oil Leak - Sea Snake Specimen

Abstract

1. The sea snake inhaled and ingested petroleum compounds, as evidenced by very high TPH and PAH levels in the lung & trachea swabs, as well as in the stomach contents. 2. High PAH levels were also found in the muscle of the sea snake, suggesting that this animal has been exposed to petroleum compounds for several days. 3. The likely cause of death for the sea snake is exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons. 4. Sea snake skin swabs did not indicate direct dermal contact with petroleum compounds. 5. The yellow substance collected from the lung of the dead sea snake showed no presence of the chemical dispersants Slickgone or Adrox 6120. 6. During the oil spill, surface animals are more at risk of being affected by exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons than are deep sea fish.