• Bioremediation: use of microorganisms^[5] or biological agents^[6] to break down or remove oil
• Bioremediation Accelerator: Oleophilic, hydrophobic chemical, containing no bacteria, which chemically and physically bonds to both soluble and insoluble hydrocarbons.^ Bioremediation uses fertilizers to increase the number of oil-eating bacteria that can break down oil.
  • Human Impact 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.gma.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Chemical dispersants -- Materials that break down the oil into its chemical constituents.
  • How are oil spills cleaned up? 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC ask.yahoo.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Workers used chemicals to break down the oil.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC library.thinkquest.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .The bioremedation accelerator acts as a herding agent in water and on the surface, floating molecules to the surface of the water, including solubles such as phenols and BTEX, forming gel-like agglomerations.^ Alternative technologies” are also available “in the toolbox,” Callahan says, including chemical dispersants that break down oil to distribute it throughout the water column, biological agents (such as plants and bacteria) that speed up the degradation rates, and in situ burning, which involves burning the oil slick on the water surface to prevent its spread.
  • Geotimes — February 2006 — After Katrina: Oil Spill First Responders 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.geotimes.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ In water, it is important that PRP floats and keeps the oil on the surface, because, even if oil exposure is not immediately lethal, it can cause long-term harm if allowed to settle.
  • PRP: The Proven Solution for Cleaning Up Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.sti.nasa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ The tunas eggs float on the surface of the water, which would make them directly vulnerable to the oil spill, posing a serious threat to the Bluefin tuna population in the Mediterranean.
  • Lebanese Oil Spill May Rival Exxon Valdez Disaster 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC environment.about.com [Source type: General]
  
  .Non-detectable levels of hydrocarbons can be obtained in produced water and manageable water columns.^ The toxins, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were detected in Bay shellfish in levels dangerous to anybody who ate them for four months after the spill, according to the report.
  • Oil spill devastated Bay herring | San Francisco Examiner 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.sfexaminer.com [Source type: News]
  
  ^ The few samples that have come back from the lab show the water being drawn into the intake valves are non-detect for total petroleum hydrocarbons.
  • State Monitoring Mississippi River Oil Spill - July 25, 2008 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC gohsep.la.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ PetroLarm - Detection of ppm levels of oil in water by fluorescence.
  • RIGZONE - Oil & Gas Directory - Oil Spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.rigzone.com [Source type: General]
  
  By overspraying sheen with bioremediation accelerator, sheen is eliminated within minutes. .Whether applied on land or on water, the nutrient-rich emulsion, creates a bloom of local, indigenous, pre-existing, hydrocarbon-consuming bacteria.^ El Nino is a natural phenomenon that involves a change in wind and ocean current patterns, which warms surface temperatures and reduces the upwelling of nutrient-rich water.
  • Penguins 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.seaworld.org [Source type: Academic]
  
  ^ "Bacteria enzymes will catalyze the insertion of oxygen into the hydrocarbon so that the molecule can subsequently be consumed by cellular metabolism" "Bragg et al.
  • Bioremediation of Marine Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.geocities.com [Source type: Academic]
  
  ^ Then it solidifies and hardens creating a solid (foam-like) substance floating on the water (or land) surface.
  • Oil Spill Solidifier – Oil Spills Oil Solidifer Oil Spill Cleanup Oil Spilled 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.oil.spills.climatecleanup.com [Source type: News]
  
  .Those specific bacteria break down the hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide, with EPA tests showing 98% of alkanes biodegraded in 28 days; and aromatics being biodegraded 200 times faster than in nature^[7].
• Controlled burning can effectively reduce the amount of oil in water, if done properly.^ Biodegradation is a natural process by which microbes alter and break down petroleum hydrocarbons into other substances.
  • Bioremediation of Marine Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.geocities.com [Source type: Academic]
  
  ^ Bacteria in the water attack and digest the oil.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.awma.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ The organics are converted into water and carbon dioxide and the remains of the bacteria.
  • Geometry.Net - Science: Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.geometry.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^[8] .But it can only be done in low wind,^{[citation needed]} and can cause air pollution.^ However, it can be done only when it is not windy[ citation needed ], and could cause air pollution.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ They might not decide to burn the oil because this method causes air pollution.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC library.thinkquest.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Surprising though it may seem, air pollution is also a cause of water pollution.
  • Clean your home and driveway by Oil Stain Remover, Remove Concrete Stain and Oil Spill Cleanup | Oil Spill Blog 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.oilgoneeasy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^[9]
.
• Dispersants act as detergents, clustering around oil globules and allowing them to be carried away in the water.^ Dispersants: Dispersants act as detergents, clustering around oil globules and allowing it to be carried away in the water.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Dredging: for oils dispersed with detergents and other oils denser than water.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Specialized equipment, such as a vacuum, is then used to help remove oil from the water's surface, and chemical detergents are applied to help break up visible slicks.
  • Teachers' Domain: Oil Spill: Exxon Valdez, 1989 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.teachersdomain.org [Source type: General]
  
  ^[10] .This improves the surface aesthetically, and mobilizes the oil.^ While this improves the surface aesthetically, it only serves to mobilise the oil.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Smaller oil droplets, scattered by currents, may cause less harm and may degrade more easily.^ This may be beneficial since smaller oil droplets, scattered with currents, may cause less harm and may be easier to degrade.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ In water, it is important that PRP floats and keeps the oil on the surface, because, even if oil exposure is not immediately lethal, it can cause long-term harm if allowed to settle.
  • PRP: The Proven Solution for Cleaning Up Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.sti.nasa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Apart from the oil damage , experts fear the fertiliser could cause harmful algal blooms , suffocate fish and kill natural habitats.
  • Australian oil spill '10 times worse' than thought 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.physorg.com [Source type: News]
  
  .But the dispersed oil droplets infiltrate into deeper water and can lethally contaminate coral.^ However, the dispersed oil droplets increases infiltration into deeper water and can lethally contaminate coral.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ So, when a truck, train, or ship accidentally dumps its cargo into a lake, stream or sea, the oil sits on top of the water and spreads across its surface.
  • Oil Spill Surface Cleanup Ignores Fish Below: Discovery News 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC dsc.discovery.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ In water, it is important that PRP floats and keeps the oil on the surface, because, even if oil exposure is not immediately lethal, it can cause long-term harm if allowed to settle.
  • PRP: The Proven Solution for Cleaning Up Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.sti.nasa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Recent research indicates that some dispersants are toxic to corals.^ Moreover, recent research indicates that some dispersants are toxic to corals.
  • Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^[11]
.
• Watch and wait: in some cases, nautural attentuation of oil may be most appropriate, due to the invasive nature of facilitated methods of remediation, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas.^ What areas will be hit with the most oil from the spill?
  • Oil Spill Scenario Exercise 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.pcds.org [Source type: General]
  
  ^ The marsh areas were particularly sensitive, not only to oiling, but to methods of oil spill cleanup.
  • Kurdistan oil spill, Environmental_Science, College Term Papers.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.collegetermpapers.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Most of the EVOS oil in PWS has been eliminated due to natural weathering.
  • Oil Spill Assessment | Capabilities | Exponent 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.exponent.com [Source type: Academic]
  
  ^{[citation needed]}
• Dredging: for oils dispersed with detergents and other oils denser than water.
• Skimming: Requires calm waters
• Solidifying^{[citation needed]}

• Booms: large floating barriers that round up oil and lift the oil off the water
• Skimmers: skim the oil
• Sorbents: large absorbents that absorb oil
• Chemical and biological agents: helps to break down the oil
• Vacuums: remove oil from beaches and water surface
• Shovels and other road equipments: typically used to clean up oil on beaches

• Certain Products such as Nokomis 3

Prevention

• Secondary containment - methods to prevent releases of oil or hydrocarbons into environment.
• Oil Spill Prevention Containment and Countermeasures (SPCC) program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• Double hulling - build double hulls into vessels, which reduces the risk and severity of a spill in case of a collision or grounding.^ What are some of the things that could be done to reduce the risks of oil spills?
  • Show Number 1005 Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.reachoutmichigan.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Show Number 1005 Oil Spills 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC reachoutmichigan.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ What can humans do to prevent oil spills?
  • Show Number 1005 Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.reachoutmichigan.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Show Number 1005 Oil Spills 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC reachoutmichigan.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Double-hulls are an important method of preventing oil spills.
  • Oil Spill Concerns 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.arkent.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  Existing single-hull vessels can also be rebuilt to have a double hull.

Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Mapping[1]

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration[2]

.Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps are used to identify sensitive shoreline resources prior to an oil spill event in order to set priorities for protection and plan cleanup strategies.^ Shoreline Rankings ESI shoreline rankings rate how sensitive an area would be to an oil spill.

• Responding to Oil Spills | Emergency Response | NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC response.restoration.noaa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ A GIS approach to mapping oil spills in .

• References 20 November 2009 20:42 UTC www.cs.mun.ca [Source type: Academic]

^ Sensitivity Mapping for Oil Spill Response (1996) .

• IPIECA 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ipieca.org [Source type: Academic]

.By planning spill response ahead of time, the impact on the environment can be minimized or prevented.^ He has also worked as the project manager for oil spill prevention and response planning.

• Oil Spill Recovery Institute 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.pws-osri.org [Source type: Academic]

^ Spills into coastal waters can harm people and the environment and cause substantial disruption of marine transportation—with potential widespread economic impacts.

• Oil and Chemical Spills: NOAA Watch: NOAA's All-Hazard Monitor: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: U.S. Department of Commerce 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.noaawatch.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Skimming:Requires calm waters Solidifying[ citation needed ] Spill Prevention Secondary Containment - methods to prevent releases of oil or hydrocarbons into environment.

• Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Environmental sensitivity index maps are basically made up of information within the following three categories: shoreline type, and biological and human-use resources^[12].^ ESI Toolkit Tools and resources for Environmental Sensitivity Index maps.

• Responding to Oil Spills | Emergency Response | NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC response.restoration.noaa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ ESI Exercises Training exercises for Environmental Sensitivity Index maps.

• Responding to Oil Spills | Emergency Response | NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC response.restoration.noaa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Using Environmental Sensitivity Maps and discussing the ecology of the region helps to draw students into seeing how animals and the ocean are connected and that physical environment is an important component of ecology.

• teacher notes - oil spill scenario 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.pcds.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Shoreline Type

.Shoreline type is classified by rank depending on how easy the oil would be to cleanup, how long the oil would persist, and how sensitive the shoreline is ^[13].^ Classify all shorelines by type code.

• Oil Spill Response Needs Assessment 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.docstoc.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Shoreline Rankings ESI shoreline rankings rate how sensitive an area would be to an oil spill.

• Responding to Oil Spills | Emergency Response | NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC response.restoration.noaa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ The time this takes depends on a series of factors, including the amount and type of oil spilled, the weather conditions and whether the oil stays at sea or is washed ashore.

• Huge Burnaby oil spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.canada.com [Source type: News]

.The floating oil slicks put the shoreline at particular risk when they eventually come ashore, covering the substrate with oil.^ Once covered in oil, the birds are forced to move ashore where they are at risk of starvation.

• Emergency declared in Bay Area oil spill - Environment- msnbc.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.msnbc.msn.com [Source type: News]

^ Mearns Rock It isn't easy to determine whether a particular area of shoreline has recovered from oiling during a spill, or how to expect it to look when it has.

• Geometry.Net - Science: Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.geometry.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Floating slicks may become non-floating when they spread into areas of freshwater influence.

• Oil Spill Response Needs Assessment 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.docstoc.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.The differing substrates between shoreline types vary in their response to oiling, and influence the type of cleanup that will be required to effectively decontaminate the shoreline.^ In-situ oil burning is an effective response for oil spill cleanup on the spot.

• Clean your home and driveway by Oil Stain Remover, Remove Concrete Stain and Oil Spill Cleanup | Oil Spill Blog 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.oilgoneeasy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Skimming, a technique effective only in calm waters, involves various mechanisms that physically separate the oil from water and place the oil into collection tanks.

• oil spill -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.britannica.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Aqua-Guard Spill Response Designs, manufactures and supplies oil spill response cleanup equipment and services worldwide.

• Oil Spill Equipment Information | Business.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.business.com [Source type: Reference]

.In 1995, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration extended ESI maps to lakes, rivers, and estuary shoreline types ^[12].^ All photos courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• California Coastal Commission Oil Spill Program 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.coastal.ca.gov [Source type: Academic]

^ In early 2007, more than 26,000 gallons of oil from the Exxon Valdez spill remained trapped in the sand along the Alaska shoreline, according to a study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

• Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - Profile - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC environment.about.com [Source type: General]

^ It was not only Exxon; it was the Coast Guard, the State of Alaska, media from around the country, scientists, the federal government, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration folks.

• 20 Years After Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Alaskan Coastline Remains Contaminated, Residents Still Struggle for Justice 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.democracynow.org [Source type: Original source]

.The exposure the shoreline has to wave energy and tides, substrate type, and slope of the shoreline are also taken into account – in addition to biological productivity and sensitivity.^ This activity is in the second and the third parts of the experiential learning cycle; "what, so what, now what" Now that I know about currents, waves, tides, density, oil slicks and biological parts of the ocean ...

• teacher notes - oil spill scenario 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.pcds.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ This finding is especially important when it comes to the timing of tides and image acquisition where significant offsets and errors in shoreline typing can occur without such recognition.

• Oil Spill Assessment | Capabilities | Exponent 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.exponent.com [Source type: Academic]

^ In addition to the storage capacity criteria, a facility is regulated if due to its location the facility could reasonably be expected to discharge oil into navigable waters of the U.S. or adjoining shorelines.

• Pier 400 Project - Oil Spill Response 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.pacificenergypier400.com [Source type: Reference]

.The productivity of the shoreline habitat is also taken into account when determining ESI ranking ^[14].^ Shoreline Rankings ESI shoreline rankings rate how sensitive an area would be to an oil spill.

• Responding to Oil Spills | Emergency Response | NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC response.restoration.noaa.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Mangroves and marshes tend to have higher ESI rankings due to the potentially long-lasting and damaging effects of both the oil contamination and cleanup actions.^ March 24, 1989 : Cleanup crews drop dispersant but it doesn't work well because there is not enough wave action to mix it with the oil.

• Exxon Valdez oil spill timeline - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ktuu.com [Source type: News]

^ Boufadel says the study points out the susceptibility of beaches worldwide to long-term oil contamination, especially at higher latitudes where beaches tend to be gravel or a mixture of sand and gravel.

• Alaska beaches still have oil from 1989 spill / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.csmonitor.com [Source type: News]

^ It will cover both short- and long-term environmental effects of the Montara oil spill and will include marine life surveying, wildlife and habitat studies, continued water quality testing and shoreline ecological assessments.

• Montara Oil spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.environment.gov.au [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Impermeable and exposed surfaces with high wave action are ranked lower due to the reflecting waves keeping oil from coming onshore, and the speed at which natural processes will remove the oil.^ Specialized equipment, such as a vacuum, is then used to help remove oil from the water's surface, and chemical detergents are applied to help break up visible slicks.

• Teachers' Domain: Oil Spill: Exxon Valdez, 1989 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.teachersdomain.org [Source type: General]

^ This is called containment and is important because otherwise the oil will keep spreading out, creating a thinner and thinner layer, covering more and more surface area.

• Oil Spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.recyclesaskatchewan.ca [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ March 24, 1989 : Cleanup crews drop dispersant but it doesn't work well because there is not enough wave action to mix it with the oil.

• Exxon Valdez oil spill timeline - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ktuu.com [Source type: News]

Biological Resources

.Habitats of plants and animals that may be at risk from oil spills are referred to as “elements” and are divided by functional group.^ What plants or animals were or may have been harmed by the incident?

• Oil Spill! - NIE: Newspapers in Education - The Cincinnati Enquirer 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC cincinnati.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ How can oil spills be harmful to plants and animals?

• Environmental Issues 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.informaction.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ What affects do oil spills have on animals?

• Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC library.thinkquest.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Further classification divides each element into species groups with similar life histories and behaviors relative to their vulnerability to oil spills.^ The worst oil spill in history was not an accident.

• The Worst Major Oil Spills in History - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.associatedcontent.com [Source type: General]

^ Call for probe into oil spill .

• SFGate: Bay Spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.sfgate.com [Source type: News]

^ It was the largest oil spill in history.

• Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.awma.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.There are eight element groups: Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates, Habitats and Plants, Wetlands, and Marine Mammals and Terrestrial Mammals.^ Seabirds, marine mammals, fish.

• 20 Years After Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Alaskan Coastline Remains Contaminated, Residents Still Struggle for Justice 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.democracynow.org [Source type: Original source]

^ Beaches searched for birds The accident is nowhere near the 11 million gallons spilled in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, but it is believed to be the biggest in the San Francisco Bay since 1988 and it has fouled miles of coastline — sending environmentalists scrambling to save birds, fish, invertebrates and marine mammals.

• Emergency declared in Bay Area oil spill - Environment- msnbc.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.msnbc.msn.com [Source type: News]

^ In that incident, a tanker hit Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef in the U.S. state of Alaska and spilled an estimated 11 to 30 million gallons of crude oil, immediately killing thousands of birds, fish and marine mammals.

• MIDEAST: Bombing Stalls Cleanup of Massive Oil Spill - IPS ipsnews.net 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ipsnews.net [Source type: News]

.Element groups are further divided into sub-groups, for example, the ‘marine mammals’ element group is divided into dolphins, manatees, pinnipeds (seals, sea lions & walruses), polar bears, sea otters and whales^[12][14].^ Among its toll, the spill killed hundreds of thousands of sea birds, thousands of otters, hundreds of seals as well as killer whales, bald eagles and fish.

• Effects of oil spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.greenlivingtips.com [Source type: General]

^ Oil coats the fur of Sea otters, seals, reducing their furs natural insulation abilities, leading to body temperature fluctuations and hypothermia.

• Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.slideshare.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Waterfowl and other animals like seals and otters can become covered in oil, which breaks down the water-resistant properties of the birds' feathers, as well as the insulation provided by sea mammals' fur.

• Howstuffworks "How do you clean up an oil spill?" 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC science.howstuffworks.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Issues taken into consideration when ranking biological resources include the observance of a large number of individuals in a small area, whether special life stages occur ashore (nesting or molting), and whether there are species present that are threatened, endangered or rare^[15].^ This includes choosing whether to disperse oil into the water and risk harming coral versus getting the oil slick off the surface of the water "so birds, mangroves, and nesting turtles aren't as affected," she said.

• FOXNews.com - Oil-Spill Detergents More Toxic to Coral Reefs Than Oil Itself - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.foxnews.com [Source type: News]

^ Even where SSO patches remain, most are highly weathered, sporadically distributed at a small number of sites, and widely separated from biologically productive lower intertidal zones where most foraging by wildlife occurs.

• Oil Spill Assessment | Capabilities | Exponent 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.exponent.com [Source type: Academic]

^ Individuals of large-sized wildlife species are sometimes rescued and cleaned, but micro-sized species are usually ignored.

• Oil Spills: Impact on the Ocean 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.waterencyclopedia.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Human-Use Resources

.Human use resources are divided into four major classifications; archaeological importance or cultural resource site, high-use recreational areas or shoreline access points, important protected management areas, or resource origins^[12][15].^ Shoreline, migratory birds, wildlife, aquatic resources, recreational uses .

• Bouchard 120 Oil Spill NRD Damages Assessment 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.mass.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ D183 .w6) Prioritization of areas for protection: Response plans need to decide on priority areas for protection, based on the desirability of protection of particular resources and the practicality of protecting the areas.

• Oil Spill Contingency Planning (Techniques Overview) 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org [Source type: Academic]

^ The application of bioremediation will be an important aspect of waste management now and into the future as more is learned about this technology.

• Bioremediation of Marine Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.geocities.com [Source type: Academic]

.Some examples include airports, diving sites, popular beach sites, marinas, natural reserves or marine sanctuaries.^ It selects, establishes and manages National Nature Reserves and identifies and notifies Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

• Oil Spill Contingency Planning (Techniques Overview) 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org [Source type: Academic]

^ The site was located by Stea, the Birdlife partner group in Portugal and was specifically chosen because it is within a Portuguese National Marine Reserve.

• Prestige Oil Spill in Spain & France | IFAW Web Site 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ifaw.org [Source type: General]
• Prestige Oil Spill in Spain & France | Site internet IFAW 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ifaw.org [Source type: General]

^ Birds found in the region are being treated by a qualified wildlife expert on-site at Ashmore marine reserve.

• Montara Oil spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.environment.gov.au [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Estimating the volume of a spill

Bottsand class oil recovery ship of the German Navy.

.By observing the thickness of the film of oil and its appearance on the surface of the water, it is possible to estimate the quantity of oil spilled.^ Skimmers—oil spill recovery equipment that can “skim” oil from the surface of water.

• Oil Spill Equipment Information | Business.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.business.com [Source type: Reference]

^ Spilled oil causes water worries .

• Archived audio clips, photos, stories and videos from the oil spill | Updates - NOLA.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC blog.nola.com [Source type: General]

^ Oil on water surface prevents evaporation.

• ellen tordesillas » Petition on Guimaras oil spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.ellentordesillas.com [Source type: General]

.If the surface area of the spill is also known, the total volume of the oil can be calculated.^ Bay Area oil spill .

• Emergency declared in Bay Area oil spill - Environment- msnbc.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.msnbc.msn.com [Source type: News]

^ According to the pilots who flew over the affected area, the oil slick is not thick and no emulsion has been observed on the surface.

• Oil Spill by Offshore Platform Statfjord A in North Sea, Norway 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.marinebuzz.com [Source type: General]

^ The immediate environmental effects of oil spills have been readily identified, but their long-term impact on the ecological system of an affected area is more difficult to assess.

• oil spill -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.britannica.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[16]

.Oil spill model systems are used by industry and government to assist in planning and emergency decision making.^ Modelling of high density oil spills .

• Oil spill experts address high-density oil spills 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.imo.org [Source type: Reference]
• 3rd R&D Forum on High-density oil spill response 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.imo.org [Source type: Reference]

^ What makes oil spills so toxic for birds?

• Oil Spill | QUEST Community Science Blog - KQED 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.kqed.org [Source type: General]

^ Oil Spill Cleanup using Bioremediation .

• Oil Spill Cleanup using Bioremediation | BioWorld Products LLC 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.bioworldusa.com [Source type: Academic]

.Of critical importance for the skill of the oil spill model prediction is the adequate description of the wind and current fields.^ Modelling of high density oil spills .

• Oil spill experts address high-density oil spills 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.imo.org [Source type: Reference]

^ Thus, spilled oil can be carried long distances by winds and currents.

• Oil Spill Response Needs Assessment 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.docstoc.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Prevention of oil spills has become a major priority; and of equal importance, efforts to contain and remove oil that has spilled are considered to be prevention of secondary spills.

• Oil Spills: Impact on the Ocean 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC www.waterencyclopedia.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.There is a worldwide oil spill modelling (WOSM) program.^ Modelling of high density oil spills .

• Oil spill experts address high-density oil spills 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.imo.org [Source type: Reference]
• 3rd R&D Forum on High-density oil spill response 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.imo.org [Source type: Reference]

^ If there were a crack in the boat, it wouldn’t have a large affect on the animals because not that much oil would spill as if it was a regular tanker.

• Oil Spills 17 September 2009 14:28 UTC library.thinkquest.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Aqua-Guard Spill Response Designs, manufactures and supplies oil spill response cleanup equipment and services worldwide.

• Oil Spill Equipment Information | Business.com 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.business.com [Source type: Reference]

^[17]

	Film thickness			Quantity spread
Appearance	in	mm	gal/sq mi	L/ha
Barely visible	0.0000015	0.0000380	25	0.370
Silvery sheen	0.0000030	0.0000760	50	0.730
First trace of color	0.0000060	0.0001500	100	1.500
Bright bands of color	0.0000120	0.0003000	200	2.900
Colors begin to dull	0.0000400	0.0010000	666	9.700
Colors are much darker	0.0000800	0.0020000	1332	19.500

Largest oil spills

Main article: List of oil spills

Oil spills of over 100,000 tonnes or 30 million US gallons, ordered by tonnes^[a]

Spill / Tanker	Location	Date	*Tonnes of crude oil	Reference
Gulf War oil spill	Persian Gulf	January 21, 1991	1,360,000–1,500,000	[18][19]
Ixtoc I oil well	Gulf of Mexico	June 3, 1979–March 23, 1980	454,000–480,000	[20]
Atlantic Empress / Aegean Captain	Trinidad and Tobago	July 19, 1979	287,000	[21][22]
Fergana Valley	Uzbekistan	March 2, 1992	285,000	[19]
Nowruz oil field	Persian Gulf	February 1983	260,000	[23]
ABT Summer	700 nautical miles (1,300 km) off Angola	1991	260,000	[21]
Castillo de Bellver	Saldanha Bay, South Africa	August 6, 1983	252,000	[21]
Amoco Cadiz	Brittany, France	March 16, 1978	223,000	[19][21]
Amoco Haven tanker disaster	Mediterranean Sea near Genoa, Italy	1991	144,000	[21]
Odyssey	700 nautical miles (1,300 km) off Nova Scotia, Canada	1988	132,000	[21]
Sea Star	Gulf of Oman	December 19, 1972	115,000	[19][21]
Torrey Canyon	Scilly Isles, UK	March 18, 1967	80,000–119,000	[19][21]
Irenes Serenade	Navarino Bay, Greece	1980	100,000	[21]
Urquiola	A Coruña, Spain	May 12, 1976	100,000	[21]
Exxon Valdez [b]	Gulf of Alaska	March 24, 1989	35,000	[24]

.^a One tonne of crude oil is roughly equal to 308 US gallons, or 7.33 barrels.^ It discharges millions of gallons of crude oil.

• oil spill // Current 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC current.com [Source type: News]

^ January 12 -- NIGERIA - 40,000 barrels of oil spilled from a ruptured pipeline to one of Mobil's terminals.

• The Mariner Group -- Oil Spill History 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.marinergroup.com [Source type: News]

^ The 987foot ship, second newest in Exxon Shipping Company's 20-tanker fleet, was loaded with 53,094,5 10 gallons (1,264,155 barrels) of North Slope crude oil bound for Long Beach, California.

• Exxon Valdez Oil Spill 3 February 2010 17:42 UTC www.solcomhouse.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^b Shown for comparison

See also

• Environmental issues with shipping
• Low-temperature thermal desorption
• National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
• Ohmsett (Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank)
• Oil Gone Easy
• Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (in the US)
• Penguin sweater
• Spill containment
• LNG spill

References

1. ^ http://seeps.geol.ucsb.edu/
2. ^ C. Michael Hogan (2008) Magellanic Penguin, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg
3. ^ Dunnet, G., Crisp, D., Conan, G., Bourne, W. (1982) "Oil Pollution and Seabird Populations [and Discussion]" Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. B 297(1087): 413–427
4. ^ Untold Seabird Mortality due to Marine Oil Pollution, Elements Online Environmental Magazine.
5. ^ http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/540.html
6. ^ http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/ncp/bagents.htm
7. ^ http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/ncp/products/s200.htm
8. ^ ^{a b} "Emergency Response: Responding to Oil Spills". Office of Response and Restoration. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2007-06-20. http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY(entry_subtopic_topic)=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=184&subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=8&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1. 
9. ^ Oil Spills
10. ^ "Detergent and Oil Spills". NEWTON BBS. 2002-10-12. http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00896.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
11. ^ Barry, Carolyn (2007). Slick Death: Oil-spill treatment kills coral, Science News vol. 172, p. 67.
12. ^ ^{a b c d} NOAA (2002). Environmental Sensitivity Index Guidelines, version 3.0. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS OR&R 11. Seattle: Hazardous Response and Assessment Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 129p.
13. ^ Gundlach, E.R. and M.O. Hayes (1978). Vulnerability of Coastal Environments to Oil Spill Impacts. Marine Technology Society. 12 (4): 18-27.
14. ^ ^{a b} NOAA (2008). Introduction to Environmental Sensitivity Index maps. NOAA Technical Manual. Seattle: Hazardous Response and Assessment Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 56p.
15. ^ ^{a b} IMO/IPIECA (1994). Sensitivity Mapping for Oil Spill Response. International Maritime Organization/ International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association Report Series, Volume 1. 22p.
16. ^ Metcalf & Eddy. Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. 98.
17. ^ Anderson, E.L., E. Howlett, K. Jayko, V. Kolluru, M. Reed, and M. Spaulding. 1993. The worldwide oil spill model (WOSM): an overview. Pp. 627–646 in Proceedings of the 16th Arctic and Marine Oil Spill Program, Technical Seminar. Ottawa, Ontario: Environment Canada.
18. ^ George Draffan. "Major Oil Spills". Endgame. http://www.endgame.org/oilspills.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
19. ^ ^{a b c d e} "History". The Mariner Group. http://www.marinergroup.com/oil-spill-history.htm. 
20. ^ John S. Patton, Mark W. Rigler, Paul D. Boehm & David L. Fiest (1981-03-19). "Ixtoc 1 oil spill: flaking of surface mousse in the Gulf of Mexico". NPG (Nature Publishing Group). http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v290/n5803/abs/290235a0.html. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
21. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} "Statistics". ITOPF. http://www.itopf.com/stats.html. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
22. ^ "Atlantic Empress/Aegean Captain". Cedre. 2006-04. http://www.cedre.fr/uk/spill/atlantic/atlantic.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
23. ^ "Oil Spills and Disasters". infoplease. infoplease. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001451.html. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
24. ^ {{cite web|url=http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/book_shelf/26_spilldb.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-10. (PDF) Oil Spill Case Histories 1967 – 1991, Report No. HMRAD 92-11. Seattle: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. September 1992. p. 80.

Further reading

• The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2004
• Oil Spill Case Histories 1967-1991, NOAA/Hazardous Materials and Response Division, Seattle WA, 1992
• Nelson-Smith, Oil Pollution and Marine Ecology, Elek Scientific, London, 1972; Plenum, New York, 1973

External links

• www.cedre.fr Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution
• SINTEF's research on oil spill and response
• oil spill and environmental clean-up news
• International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
• Newsweek's Black Tides Timeline
• Industrial pollution information from the Coastal Ocean Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Oil spill prevention program

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