Monitoring the Effects of the Solar I Oil Spill on the Benthic Infaunal Assemblages of the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve(TINMAR), Southern Guimaras, Philippines

The effects of the Solar I oil spill on the mean densities (ind.･m-2) and species richness of the macrobenthic infaunal assemblages of the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMAR) were monitored. Time series comparisons in 14 stations sampled before (2002) the oil spill and after (2007-present) were made. A drastic decrease in densities (54%) and richness (63%), as well as the disappearance of oil-sensitive gammarid amphipods were noted right after the spill (Sept 2006), and are taken as clear direct impacts of the oil. A surge of densities, re-appearance of amphipods, and occurrence of polychaete larval stages during the first quarter of the two years of monitoring, on the other hand, suggest that recruitment took place and altogether further suggest that recovery is underway