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VOL. 75 (4), 883-899, 2009 A FASCINATING EXAMPLE OF MICROALGAL ADAPTATION...

Dense patches of fuel remain in the natural emergence of
spill and adjacent areas (Figure 1b). Astonishingly, all the area
of petroleum spill of Arroyo Minero has important microalgal
concentrations even in contact with crude oil (Figure 1c). This
microalgal biomass seems to be enough to sustain a short trophy
chain of few zooplankton and micro-invertebrate species. Crude
oil reaches the Arroyo Minero and dilutes progressively (Figure 1d,
1e). Arroyo Minero waters 25 meters down water of crude oil spill
was at 16 ºC, pH 8.3 and 517 µS conductivity. In this area total
concentration of crude oil was 1,5% v/v.

Figure 1. a) Natural spill of crude oil of Arroyo Minero. b) Crude oil with gas
bubbles and water. c) Microalgal concentrations in contact with crude oil. d) Crude
oil reaches Arroyo Minero. e) Crude oil dilutes progressively in Arroyo Minero.

However, the great microalgal biomass inhabiting the natural
emergence of crude oil of Arroyo Minero is constituted only by very

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