Research needed to determine chronic effects of oil on the marine environment

Abstract The participants in a workshop considering research needed to determine chronic effects of oil on the marine environment agree that much more research is needed and that high priorities, both in time and money, should be given to an ecosystem approach involving multidisciplinary studies. Initially, careful selection of study sites should be made by a marine scientist task force. A combination of laboratory, field, and experimental ecosystem observations is essential. Biological, chemical, physical, and geological oceanographers must work together to collect, catalogue, and analyse samples and interpret results.