bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Cost of Certainty in Natural Resource Damage Assessment Under the Oil Pollution Act of 19901
Authors: Greene James Robert 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), natural resource trustees are empowered to seek recovery for damages to natural resources caused by discharges of oil and/or certain threats of discharges of oil. To determine the proper amount of damages, trustees undertake the process of “scaling,” which is an attempt to calculate the size of restoration actions that would be required to expedite recovery of injured natural resources to baseline and compensate the public for interim lost resources and services. Trustees utilize various scaling methods, including service-to-service methods, such as habitat equivalency analysis, and value-to-value methods, such as hedonic price models and contingent valuation. Regardless of the method chosen, however, the scaling is directly dependent on the level of injury caused by a spill. Disputes between trustees and those parties designated as responsible for the spill (responsible parties or RPs) often occur in determining the level of injury.
In many cases, as a result of either these disputes or the trustees' desire to determine the precise level of injury, trustees undertake costly and time-consuming injury studies. These studies oftentimes are inefficient because the resulting gains in certainty often are achieved through disproportionately expensive studies relative to the resulting gains in restoration. In certain instances, attempts to achieve greater certainty can destroy an otherwise efficient and cooperative restoration effort and run contrary to the OPA 90 regulations. Such attempts also can lead to costly litigation for both the public and the RP involved. Lastly, attempts to achieve greater certainty during injury assessment can unnecessarily increase the scale of compensatory restoration because of delays in implementing restoration actions.
Both trustees and RPs must recognize those instances in which achieving greater certainty leads to increased costs to both the public and the RP. In such situations, stipulating to certain injury assumptions can lead to overall net gains for both the public and the RP. These stipulations can be used to induce RPs to increase other aspects of the restoration, thereby increasing overall gains for the public at less cost to the RP.
Oil Spill Risks from Nontank Vessels1
Authors: Cameron Jean R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
An issue of increasing concern worldwide is that of oil spills from nontank vessels that carry large quantities of petroleum product as fuel or lubricants. The New Carissa incident in Oregon in 1999 is only one of several that have impacted the U.S. West Coast in the last few years. Others include the M/V Kuroshima, which grounded in Dutch Harbor, Alaska in 1997, and the M/V Kure, which spilled oil in Humbolt Bay also in 1997. The Tenyo Maru was cut in half in a collision and sank with the loss of one life and a spill of at least 100,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil and diesel in Washington State in 1991. Additional examples of both spills and threats of spills are sited, both in the United States and worldwide. This paper examines a number of actions that have been taken in response to this threat. One such model is the Canadian requirement that vessel owner/operators demonstrate a formal agreement with an approved response contractor, and list that contractor in their Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). A more comprehensive approach would be to establish approved “umbrella” contingency plans for major port areas, supported by contracts with oil spill removal organizations (OSROs). This preferred model has been adopted by the U.S. West Coast states, and affords the opportunity for the contracted responders to drill with emergency response officials, thus improving the likelihood of an efficient, coordinated spill response. This paper also proposes spill prevention design elements for nontank vessels.
Residual Gasoline in a Turbulent Pacific Northwest Stream Following Release and Subsequent Ignition
Authors: Challenger Gregory E. , Mauseth Gary S. , Rhodes Ileana 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Approximately 5,500 barrels of unleaded gasoline escaped from a ruptured pipeline in Bellingham, Washington on June 10, 1999. The majority of the product entered Whatcom Creek, with a flow of approximately 0.3 m3/s (10 cfs). The gasoline affected approximately 4.8 km (3 miles) of the creek. After a period of approximately 4 hours, the product contacted an ignition source.
Twenty hours following the incident, a water-sampling program at 8 stations in Whatcom Creek and 12 stations in Bellingham Bay was implemented. Ultimately, nearly 400 water-column samples were analyzed for gasoline range hydrocarbons (GRHs), including BTEX compounds and MTBE. Samples were collected every 4 hours for the first 5 days, daily for the next 17 days, and 16 of the following 32 days. Initial maximum concentrations found in water samples were 20,800 ug/L GRH, 2,600 ug/L total xylenes, 1,300 ug/l toluene, 340 ug/L ethylbenzene, 110 ug/L benzene, and 6.9 ug/L MTBE. Product concentrations in the stream declined rapidly.
Within 140 hours of the incident, GRHs subsided two orders of magnitude. Instream waters met State of Washington Groundwater Cleanup Standards (Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 173–340.) in an average of 131 hours from the time of the release for benzene, 127 hours for ethylbenzene, 66 hours for toluene, and 207 hours for xylene. Volatilization of BTEX during transport downstream was evidenced by a consistent gradient of reduced concentrations with distance from the source. Sediment pore water and bulk sediments were also sampled. Initial pore-water GRH ranged widely from nondetect to 110,000 ug/L. GRH in bulk sediment samples ranged from nondetect to 447,000 ug/L. A remediation program was conducted to release product trapped in the streambed that reduced contaminants to levels deemed acceptable by a risk-based approach for survival of salmonid fry populations. This approach and resultant guidelines are described.
Restoration of an Oil-Contaminated St. Lawrence River Shoreline: Bioremediation and Phytoremediation
Authors: Garcia-Blanco Susana , Moteleb Moustafa , Suidan Makram T. , Venosa Albert D. , Lee Kenneth , King Dennis W. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this field study was to evaluate bioremediation and phytoremediation in restoring an oil-contaminated freshwater shoreline. Weathered Mesa light crude oil was released intentionally onto small plots in the upper intertidal zone of a study site located along the St. Lawrence River. Treatments were established to examine the effect of nutrient addition and the role of plants (Scirpus pungens) on the removal of oil constituents from the contaminated plots. Fertilizers under evaluation included sodium nitrate, prilled ammonium nitrate, and triple super phosphate. Composite core samples were collected after 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 21 weeks for identification of remaining oil constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To account for differences because of physical washout, all oil constituents were normalized to the conservative biomarker hopane.
Although bioremediation and phytoremediation treatments achieved slightly better degradation of hydrocarbons than natural attenuation, no statistically significant evidence of stimulation through addition of nutrients or biodegradation enhancement by vegetation was observed. After 21 weeks, reduction of target parent and alkyl-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) averaged 32% in all treatments. Reduction of target alkanes was of similar magnitude. The pattern of disappearance of hydrocarbons was characteristic of biodegradation: namely, the lower molecular weight alkanes declined to a greater extent than the higher carbon-number alkanes, as did the lower molecular weight PAHs compared to the higher molecular weight PAHs. Since there was little evidence supporting enhancement of biodegradation by nutrient addition with and without vegetation, it was concluded that oxygen limitation most likely dominated the persistence of oil hydrocarbons on the oil-contaminated plots.
Australia's Fixed-Wing Aerial Dispersant Capability
Authors: Lipscombe Ray , Blackmore Don , Elliott Dennis 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Since January 1997, Australia has had in place a fixed-wing aerial dispersant capability (FWADC) designed to provide the country with a cost-effective aerial dispersant delivery system. The FWADC is managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and is funded jointly by AMSA and the Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP) through its subsidiary, the Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC). The FWADC is based on the concept of using single-engine turbine-powered agricultural aircraft with a payload capacity of between 1,850 and 3,100 Liters of dispersant, depending on aircraft type. At a cost of AUD$400,000 per annum, Australia has access to a minimum of two primary aircraft, 24 hours every day of the year. Additional aircraft complement the two primary aircraft on an “aircraft of opportunity” basis.
This paper addresses the background to the development and implementation of Australia's fixed-wing aerial dispersant capability and its integration into Australia's national oil spill response contingency arrangements. It also provides an overview of AMSA's role in managing the capability and providing training for aircraft operators and support crews in aerial dispersant-related operations.
Incorporating Biodiversity into Sensitivity Maps of the Niger River Delta
Authors: Gundlach Erich R. , Imevbore Victor Ohioze , Witherspoon Boykin , Ainodion Jimoh 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Using the basis that communities having high biodiversity are inherently more valuable as an ecological resource, the authors have derived a preliminary system of classifying the tropical environments of the oil-producing delta regions of Nigeria based on a number of field-collected parameters that measure the degree of biodiversity as well as potential spill persistence and difficulty of cleanup.
Physical parameters to be measured include type of substrate, presence of near-surface groundwater and inhibiting layer, and extent of surface debris. Biological parameters include tree density (stocking), coverage by grasses and shrubs in the under-story, plant condition, species richness and diversity (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds), important medicinal or endangered species, and special or unique biological features. Each factor is given assigned weighting values based on over 20 years of oil spill experience.
The weighting given to spill persistence factors is 25%, while 75% is given to biological parameters. The sum of species richness and diversity is one-third of the entire valuation. Once all parameters are measured and tallied, sensitivity classification will be divided into five to ten categories. Initial data collection was undertaken during 1999. Additional fieldwork to collect and test each factor is planned for the year 2000. Sensitivity maps, including the classification of both coastal and inland habitats, will then be prepared in a GIS (Geographic Information System) format.
What Makes Esi Maps More Efficacious?
Authors: Sawano Nobuhiro 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate how Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps are made. The efforts have been based on the on-site research and various kinds of lessons from the oil spill from the Russian tanker Nakhodka that happened in January 1997.
In September 1999 and March 2000, 168 km of the oil-stranded shoreline was surveyed. This survey was conducted by using the Shoreline Oiling Summary (SOS) Form developed by Environment Canada in 1994. Eighty oiled sites were selected for this survey, and oil residue was found in over 80% of the study sites.
It has become clear that the amount of residual oil depends on these four parameters of the survey: (1) types of shoreline sediment, (2) scale of the shoreline, (3) existence of sheltering rocks, and (4) slope of the shoreline. These results almost support the correctness of the ESI guideline developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This guideline, however, is dependent mostly on the calcification of the sediment; for developing ESI maps, parameters 2 and 4 are inevitably ignored. This paper presents one style of an ideal ESI map based on ArcView® 3.2, one of the common GIS platforms.
National Strike Force Proposal for Fatigue Guidelines for Emergency Responders
Authors: Tyler Stacey 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Fatigue is a significant risk to personnel as we respond to emergencies at all hours of the day and night. Because of this risk, major safety issues are often overlooked and there is the potential for fatigue related accidents that arise from preventable circumstances. Studies on fatigue in the emergency response environment, for all risks and all incidents, particularly hazardous material response, have been limited. The purpose of this paper is to provide three National Strike Force-Pacific Strike Team (NSF-PST) case studies when fatigue was notably a problem, discuss some of the physiological impacts of fatigue in the workplace, share field testing results of a draft NSF work/rest guideline, and make the environmental safety field aware of the problem to prompt formal studies.
American Samoa Longliner Response, Wreck Removal, and Restoration Project1
Authors: Sifling John , “Rusty” Nall Roger A. , Stettler Jeff , Busch Todd , Igaz Frank , Hoff James G. , Wiegman Sheila 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In 1991, Typhoon Val struck American Samoa and grounded nine long liner fishing vessels on the reef in Pago Pago Harbor. The potential for oil spills from the wrecks and the lack of an identifiable responsible party, prompted the U.S. Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) at Marine Safety Office (MSO) Honolulu to immediately federalize the project. Unfortunately, only a portion of the oil was discovered and removed and a viable responsible party was never identified. Because of repeated small spills from the vessels in subsequent years and the potential for a much larger spill due to remaining oil onboard, the FOSC again federalized in May 1999, and a cleanup contractor was deployed to the scene. The Coast Guard supervised response efforts that employed heavy equipment to cut open six of the vessels in the inner harbor to remove oil and hazardous materials. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) then administered removal of the remaining portions of the wrecks using Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) funding. In March 2000, a salvage contractor pulled the two remaining wrecks intact from the reef in the outer harbor and sunk them at a pre-designated offshore dump site. At the conclusion of the response, nearly 36,000 gallons of oil and approximately 600 pounds of anhydrous ammonia were removed from the wrecks at a cost of over $12 million. Restoration costs totaled approximately $3 million.
Use of Geo-Informatics on Nearshore Management in Oil Spill Accidents
Authors: Goto Shintaro , Kim Sang-Woo 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
From the lessons after the Nakhodka oil spill in January 1997, oil slick detection by using remote-sensing data and assimilating the data to the simulation program is important for monitoring the oil drift pattern. For this object, the authors are going to construct the oil spill warning system for estimating the oil drift pattern using a remote-sensing/numerical simulation model. Additionally, they plan to use this system for restoring oil spill damage domestically, such as estimating the ecological damage and making the priority for restoring the oil spilled shoreline. This report is intended to summarize the role of geo-informatics in the oil spill accident by not only paying attention to the effect of information provision/information management via the map, but also reporting the interim result in part based on the details discussed in the processes of recovery support and environmental impact assessment during the Nakhodka accident.
Oil Penetration and Vegetation Recovery in Lajas Creek Marsh, Puerto Rico
Authors: Zengel Scott , Hayes Miles O. , Benggio Brad , Lopez Felix 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In September 1998, during Hurricane Georges, 5,000–10,000 gallons of No. 6 fuel oil were released from a refinery, oiling freshwater marshes along Lajas Creek near Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Aggressive cleanup actions were taken to protect downstream areas including placement of fill material to access the marsh, limited mechanical scraping and excavation of vegetation and sediments, cutting of oiled vegetation, and dragging of sorbents across the marsh by hand. It was thought at the time that oil would not penetrate the marsh sediments and that the vegetation would recover within 3 months. During irregular site visits from October 1998 through July 2000, the authors checked for the presence/absence of subsurface oiling and made simple field observations of vegetation establishment. Fresh black oil was found in creek levee sediments down to the water table, as deep as 60 cm. The oil penetrated the sediments through root channels, animal burrows, and perhaps desiccation cracks in the clay soils. In wetter, nonlevee sediments, oil was mixed into the substrate, possibly by foot depressions, to 15 cm below the surface. A buried layer of fresh oil also was found under fill material. Penetration of oil into marsh sediments likely was related to the type of marsh and geomorphic features present at the site. In January 1999, revegetation from seed was underway in some areas, although the visual appearance of plant cover and height was less than that observed in nonoiled areas and several large areas lacked vegetation. By July 2000, the vegetation appeared recovered in terms of visual appearance. Though plant recovery probably took more than twice as long as predicted, vegetation recovery time was relatively normal, perhaps even rapid, compared to temperate zone marshes.
A 10-Year Study of Shoreline Conditions in the Exxon Valdez Spill Zone, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Authors: Gilfillan Edward S. , Page David S. , Parker Keith R. , Neff Jerry M. , Boehm Paul D. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
A shoreline ecology program was performed in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska in 1990 and 1991 (1 and 2 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, EVOS) to assess the fate and effects of the oil in the intertidal zone. Major components of the study were repeated in 1998 and 1999. This update included a sediment-sampling program at formerly oiled “worst-case” boulder/cobble (B/C) sites and randomly chosen unoiled B/C reference sites. The samples were analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons and benthic infaunal community characteristics. This paper focuses on the results of the benthic infaunal community analysis.
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the 1990–1999 infaunal species composition data. Very little effect of oiling was detected in either the analysis of community structure parameters or in individual species abundances. Oiling effects were detected at some sites in 1990 and 1991, but not in 1998 and 1999. Nearly all the change in intertidal community parameters between 1990 and 1999 was attributed to natural interannual variation.
The composition of the intertidal community of B/C shores changed over time because of natural factors not related to the spill. A core group of species was found in each of the 4 years. This group of species represented between 9 to 30% of all species identified. Two other groups of species did not co-occur. One group was present in 1990 and 1991, but not in 1998 and 1999; the other group was present in 1998 and 1999, but not in 1990 and 1991.
The progressive change in the animal community observed between 1990 and 1999 is very likely related to long-term climatic changes occurring in the study area and not the oil spill. This long-term study demonstrates the importance of study designs that allow separation of oiling effects from natural factors that can affect biological communities.
Area Contingency Plan Scorecard: Determining A Plan's Ability To Achieve “Critical Success Factors”
Authors: Haynes David C. , Ott Gary L. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Can an Area Contingency Plan (ACP) embody a response organization's potential for success? Can the response effectiveness and efficiency of an ACP be measured through expert evaluation? On a scale of low, medium, or high, how well does an ACP predict a response community's ability to achieve certain “Critical Success Factors”?
Intuitively, Area Committees know that area contingency planning should better prepare a response community for effective and efficient spill response—accomplishing Critical Success Factors. Yet, at present, ACPs are generally evaluated on their conformance to a prescribed format rather than their ability to achieve Critical Success Factors. Likewise, the future holds that ACPs will be evaluated on their conformance to the U.S. Coast Guard's newly developed Incident Command System (ICS) format. However, a basic analytical method is needed to determine whether an ACP has the necessary planning elements that can be internalized and implemented to enhance and, if utilized appropriately, produce a truly successful response.
This paper describes an analytical evaluation technique that uses a recently developed ACP scorecard process. Using the scorecard approach, the authors will score a number of ACPs from across the nation to determine each plan's potential (probability) for a response organization to achieve predefined Critical Success Factors.