Oil in the Sea IV Quick Guide for Practitioners and Researchers (2023) / Chapter Skim
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Oil Spill Response
Oil Spill Response
Pages 21-33
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From page 21... ...
. Together, these techniques can be thought of as an oil spill response toolbox ready to be deployed to reduce the potential impacts of a spill on people, animals, and the environment.
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From page 22... ...
If needed, the processes of net environmental benefit analysis or spill impact mitigation assessment can be used to compare response options and select the optimal combination of activities to clean up an oil spill. MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT TOOLS Monitoring and assessment tools are used to gather critical information about an oil spill, including the physical and chemical characteristics of the oil, the location and extent of the spill, and the environmental conditions.
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From page 23... ...
. Remote sensing techniques are used to identify thicker oil slicks, which are more amenable to mechanical recovery than thin sheens.
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IN SITU BURNING In situ burning is the controlled burning of an oil slick to reduce the quantity of floating oil, prevent the associated risks to human health and safety, and minimize environmental impacts of oil (see Figure 8)
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DISPERSANTS Response techniques such as mechanical recovery and in situ burning require the deployment of many field personnel and much equipment and are challenged by the need to collect and concentrate spread-out, patchy oil slicks. These techniques may not be as effective in FIGURE 8 In situ burning tactics as an oil spill response technique.
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From page 26... ...
SOURCE: Image provided courtesy of the American Petroleum Institute, produced by Iron Octopus Productions, Inc. 26 Oil Spill Response
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From page 27... ...
This could expose organisms at the top portion of the water column to higher concentrations of oil. Chemically or naturally dispersed oil in waters with high turbidity and sediment content could result in the formation of marine oil snow (a sediment formed when oil mixes with dead animals, plants, soot, and dust; see "Insights into Oil Fate Afforded by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill" in Section 5)
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From page 28... ...
In the DWH oil spill response, long stretches of boom were not able to stop oil from coming to shore and created additional impacts when they were pushed into marshes, requiring complicated retrieval operations. 28 Oil Spill Response
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From page 29... ...
For example, a small to medium size spill of light fuel oil in high seas may evaporate or disperse naturally, not requiring an active cleanup. Oil Spill Response 29
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From page 30... ...
SOURCE: Adapted from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RECOMMENDATION Response Toolbox Regulatory mechanisms should be introduced to encourage evaluation, permitting, and deployment of new advanced response techniques when they become available.
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Looking Ahead: Future Oil Spill Response Needs In coming years, the changing energy landscape will likely present the following new challenges for oil spill response. OIL SPILL RESPONSE IN ARCTIC CONDITIONS The Arctic environment presents unique challenges for oil spill cleanup including limited daylight hours during winter, frequent days with fog, strong wind gusts, and low temperatures.
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From page 32... ...
The regulatory and research community and the industry will need to proactively review and address any potential adverse effects from these transitions. RECOMMENDATION New Products and Fuel Types Government should fund research needed to study the composition, toxicity, and behavior of new types of marine fuels (e.g., low sulfur fuel oil, very low sulfur fuel oil, biofuels)
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From page 33... ...
UNDERSTANDING HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RISKS TO RESPONSE PROFESSIONALS Oil spill responders are trained professionals using appropriate strategies and personal protective equipment, but their exposure to oil and the risks of response operations may affect their physical and mental health. Oil Spill Response 33
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