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Pascagoula RAR

Resources at Risk for Pascagoula, Mississippi

I.	Spill Source Information
This report was prepared at 9:00 pm EDT on September 13, 2005.
Information in the report is a general overview of the resources in the
area.

II.	Geographic Region Covered
The area covered by this report is the Pascagoula River, West Pascagoula
River, and Pascagoula Bay and Mississippi Sound.  This area does not
necessarily correspond to actual or potential spill locations.  Consult
other Hotline reports for location information.

III.	Expected Behavior of the Spilled Material
This report is not based on a spill of any specific product but does
provide a general overview of the resources in the area.

IV.	Shoreline Resources at Risk
The shoreline of the Pascagoula River from the mouth up to Krebs Lake is
exposed or sheltered seawalls.  The shorelines of Pascagoula Bay, West
Pascagoula River, and Pascagoula River, from Krebs Lake north, are
dominated by extensive marshes.  The freshwater areas of Pascagoula
River and West Pascagoula River are lined with freshwater swamps.

V.	Biological Resources at Risk
Included are general statements about the effects of oil on the various
biological resources.  The effects may vary based on the type of
contaminant, since the behavior, toxicity, and availability of the
material can vary from product to product.
	Fish - Numerous species of fish are present at this time of year
in Lower Pascagoula River, Pascagoula Bay, and Mississippi Sound
including, but not limited to, Gulf sturgeon (federally threatened and
state endangered), Atlantic croaker (spawning), bay anchovy (spawning),
catfish, gulf menhaden, silversides (spawning), red drum (spawning),
silver perch (spawning), southern kingfish, spot, sand seatrout
(spawning), spotted seatrout (spawning), stripped mullet, southern
flounder, and threadfin shad.  The fish in the upper portions of
Pascagoula River and West Pascagoula River include but are not limited
to Gulf sturgeon (federally threatened and state endangered), bluegill
(spawning), largemouth bass, striped bass, and many of the species
listed as being present in the Lower Pascagoula River, Pascagoula Bay,
and Mississippi Sound.   In general juvenile and larval fish are most
sensitive to spilled oil.  Fish in shallow water areas are more likely
to be impacted, since there is likely to be a higher concentration of
oil in the water column.  Surface slicks usually do not have much of an
impact on fish.
	Shellfish - Shellfish in the area include blue crab (spawning),
Brown shrimp, pink shrimp (spawning), and white shrimp (spawning).
Juvenile and larval life stages of all of these shellfish are also
present in the area.  There are also oyster beds in Pascagoula Bay.
Shellfish in shallow water areas are more likely to be impacted, since
there is likely to be a higher concentration of oil in the water column.
Surface slicks usually do not have much of an impact on crabs, shrimp,
and oysters.  Crabs and oysters may be contaminated by a heavy sinking
oil.
	Birds - Present in the area around Pascagoula River and West
Pascagoula River are numerous species of wading birds, bald eagle (state
and federally threatened), white pelican, brown pelican (federally
endangered), mottled duck, terns, double-crested cormorant, common loon,
and gulls.  October is the beginning of the migratory and overwintering
season for waterfowl.  Large numbers of waterfowl may be in the area
starting in October.  There are high concentrations of brown pelicans in
the lower Pascagoula River.  On the island just south of the mouth of
the Pascagoula River are numerous species of shorebirds including piping
plover (federally threatened) and snowy plover (state endangered).
Osprey are found on Round Island.
Diving birds (pelicans, cormorants) and waterfowl are usually at
greatest risk during oil spills, because they spend nearly all their
time on the water surface.  Waterfowl and wading birds may be directly
oiled, and can become oiled on the upper body and feathers by coming in
contact with oiled vegetation or wrack.  Shorebirds usually avoid oil,
but may be impacted by loss of feeding areas or intertidal prey,
particularly during migration periods.  Gulls, terns and raptors may be
at risk because they are often attracted to and will prey on sick or
injured prey.  This behavior may result in oiling of feathers and the
ingestion of oil.
Oiling of birds reduces the buoyancy, water repellency, and insulation
provided by feathers, and may result in death by drowning or
hypothermia.  Preening of oiled feathers may also result in ingestion of
oil resulting in irritation, sickness, or death.  Bird oiling,
particularly waterfowl and wading birds, may continue even after the
floating oil slicks have been removed, depending on the extent of oiled
vegetation. 
	Mammals - Beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, nutria, and river
otter may be found throughout the wetlands and waterways of this area.
As with the birds oiling of these animals may reduce buoyancy, water
repellency, and insulation provided by the fur, and may result in death
by drowning or hypothermia.  Grooming of oiled fur may also result in
ingestion of oil resulting in irritation, sickness, or death.
	Reptiles - American alligator (federally threatened), Gulf salt
marsh snake, and Mississippi diamondback terrapin are present throughout
the wetland areas at this time.  American alligators are also on and
around  Round Island.  The terrapins are nesting and hatching at this
time of year.  Oil may cause irritation and inflammation of the mucus
membranes, especially around the eyes and nostrils, in all of these
reptiles.

VI.	Human-Use Resources at Risk
There are numerous boat ramps and marinas located along the Pascagoula
and West Pascagoula Rivers.  There are also archaeological sites
throughout the area, including sites on Round Island.