LACK OF OBSERVED IMPACTS OF GAS-PRODUCTION OF BONGKOT FIELD, THAILANDON MARINE BIOTA

The impact of metal releases, associated with gas production, on biota in the Lower Gulf of Thailand was evaluated based on metal concentrat ions in finfish and on the composition of sediment fauna. Results indi cate that metal concentrations, particularly Hg, in species of snapper and grouper collected near the gas production platform were not signi ficantly different from those of the same species of fish caught from the regional, presumably non-impacted, fishery. Also, there were no si gnificant differences in faunal communities in sediments collected nea r petroleum production activities from those in sediments collected at remote sites. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.