Larval marine life struggling in polluted and warming ocean waters.

Ocean's Double Jeopardy: How Oil Spills Exacerbate Climate Change Impacts on Marine Life

Reese Marlowe in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the combined threat of oil pollution and global warming to keystone marine species."

Our oceans face a barrage of threats, both global and local. Climate change, driven by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, is causing ocean warming and acidification, posing long-term challenges to marine ecosystems. Simultaneously, expanding oil and gas activities, particularly in Arctic regions, raise the risk of acute oil spills, potentially compounding the effects of these global stressors.

While the individual consequences of these drivers are increasingly understood, their combined impacts remain poorly known. Marine organisms are facing multiple environmental challenges at once, and how they respond to these combined pressures can significantly alter their energy budgets, impacting growth, development, and survival.

A new study investigates the combined effects of local (oil exposure) and global drivers (ocean warming and acidification) on two keystone marine invertebrates: the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). By examining the impacts on larval stages, this research highlights the importance of understanding these complex interactions for effective marine conservation.

The One-Two Punch: Oil and Climate Change Effects

Larval marine life struggling in polluted and warming ocean waters.

The study exposed larval stages of northern shrimp and green sea urchins to North Sea crude oil, simulating an acute oil spill. Researchers also manipulated pH and temperature to mimic ocean acidification and warming scenarios. The results revealed:

Both oil exposure and the combined effects of ocean warming and acidification (OAW) had negative impacts on the survival, development, and growth of the larval stages. These effects were species- and stage-dependent, demonstrating the varying sensitivities of marine life.

Shrimp Larvae: Chronic exposure to OAW increased mortality by 30%, while oil exposure led to abnormal development in 20% of larvae. Interestingly, while OAW alone caused a 9% reduction in size and oil alone a 5% reduction, the combination resulted in a 15% size reduction.
Sea Urchin Larvae: Oil exposure caused high mortality in early-stage larvae. Both oil and acidification significantly reduced feeding rates. Larvae exposed to both stressors experienced a more substantial size reduction than those exposed to either stressor alone (17-21% reduction in size compared to 11-14% with OA alone, 6-9% with Oil alone).

Notably, the study found no statistical interactions between local and global drivers. The combined effects of oil and OAW were approximately equal to the sum of their separate effects, indicating additive rather than synergistic interactions. However, the amplified size reduction in both species when exposed to both stressors underscores the severity of combined threats.

Resilience in the Face of Global Change

The findings emphasize the vulnerability of marine organisms to combined environmental stressors. Oil spills exacerbate the challenges already posed by ocean warming and acidification, creating a double jeopardy scenario for marine life.

This research underscores the importance of adjusting regulations associated with oil spill prevention to maximize the resilience of marine organisms to predicted future global conditions. Effective management of local stressors, like oil contamination, can mitigate the detrimental impacts of global changes.

By understanding the complex interactions between local and global drivers, we can empower local decision-makers to implement effective environmental strategies, increasing the resilience of natural populations in the face of an uncertain future.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41598-018-35623-w, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of Oil And Global Environmental Drivers On Two Keystone Marine Invertebrates

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Scientific Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Maj Arnberg, Piero Calosi, John I. Spicer, Ingrid C. Taban, Shaw D. Bamber, Stig Westerlund, Sjur Vingen, Thierry Baussant, Renée K. Bechmann, Sam Dupont

Published: 2018-11-26

Everything You Need To Know

Which specific marine species were examined to understand the combined effects of oil spills and climate change?

The research specifically examined the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) at their larval stages. These species were chosen as they are keystone marine invertebrates, meaning they play a critical role in the structure and function of their ecosystems. Their sensitivity to environmental changes can indicate broader impacts on the marine environment.

How was the experiment set up to mimic the environmental stressors affecting marine life?

The study simulated an acute oil spill using North Sea crude oil, and also manipulated pH and temperature levels to replicate ocean acidification and warming (OAW) conditions. These conditions were applied to the larval stages of the northern shrimp and green sea urchin to observe the impacts on their survival, development, and growth.

What were the main findings regarding how oil exposure and ocean warming and acidification affect marine larvae?

The study revealed that both oil exposure and ocean warming and acidification (OAW) negatively impacted the larval stages of the northern shrimp and green sea urchin. For shrimp larvae, chronic exposure to OAW increased mortality, while oil exposure led to abnormal development. For sea urchin larvae, oil exposure caused high mortality in early stages, and both oil and acidification significantly reduced feeding rates. When exposed to both stressors, both species experienced amplified size reductions.

Did the study find evidence of synergistic effects between oil exposure and ocean warming and acidification? What does that mean for marine life?

While the study found no statistical interactions indicating synergistic effects between oil exposure and ocean warming and acidification (OAW), the combined effects were approximately equal to the sum of their separate effects. However, the amplified size reduction observed in both the northern shrimp and green sea urchin larvae when exposed to both stressors highlights the severity of these combined threats. This is particularly concerning because size reduction can impact the larvae's ability to feed, avoid predation, and ultimately survive.

Given the findings, what are the broader implications for marine conservation and environmental strategies?

The combined effects of oil spills, ocean warming, and acidification (OAW) create a 'double jeopardy' scenario for marine life. While this research focused on the northern shrimp and green sea urchin, the implications extend to other marine organisms and ecosystems. Understanding these combined impacts is crucial for developing effective marine conservation strategies. Integrated environmental strategies are needed to address both the global drivers of climate change and the local impacts of oil pollution to protect vulnerable marine species.