Decrease in osmotically driven water flux and transport through mangrove roots after oil spills in the presence and absence of dispersants

•Mangrove root segments were exposed to Louisiana crude oil and Corexit 9500A.•Crude oil reduced the water flux through the roots significantly.•Dispersant affected the structural integrity (layer separation) of the roots.•Water flux through the roots was analyzed by sequential filtration model.•Effects on mangrove health were interpreted with information from literature.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crude oil on water transport through mangroves roots in the presence and absence of dispersants. Water transport through the roots were evaluated experimentally using red mangrove root segments exposed to salt water contaminated with Louisiana crude oil for seven days in the presence and absence of Corexit 9500A (dispersant). Experimental observations were interpreted in view of the structural integrity and fouling phenomena observed on the epidermis and endodermis layers of the roots. The effects of oil on the radial water flux through the epidermis and endodermis were analyzed using a dual layer filtration model. Progression of fouling due to accumulation and penetration of the contaminants through the root layers were interpreted in relation to observed mangrove health (long and short term effects) reported in the literature.

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