ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTION PLATFORMS IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO - PRELIMINARY FINDINGS.

Project objectives are to assess the long term cumulative effects of production platform operation on the outer continental shelf (OCS) environment, and further define their ″artificial reef″ effect. These results are then to be used in helping (1) formulate future research on the OCS, (2) indicate monitoring techniques and, (3) to review present ″benchmark″ studies. The study area covers a broad expanse of the Louisiana ″oilpatch″ from the Mississippi delta, west 200 miles and offshore 100 miles. The major observation realized is that the Mississippi River overshadows man's activities in affecting the environment in that it overrides ocean water over a considerable area in the nearshore during the summer months causing an oxygen decline and subsequent dieoff and emigration of organisms.