bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oil Spill Response Planning in Developing Countries
Authors: Taylor Elliott 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Standards adopted in North America, Europe, and by most major oil companies are being broadly applied to regions around the globe that have either not developed their own standards or have standards that allow for a broad range of interpretation. An umbrella plan allows a company or agency to document policies, overall response organization and operations, and regulatory compliance. The site-specific plans are the hands-on, operational guides to initial responders. The planning strategy of using combined umbrella plans and local area plans is now in use on projects in Africa, Russia, Middle East, and SE Asia. If applied consistently on a regional basis, the resulting plan framework can provide companies and governments with detailed tactical plans in many developing parts of the world.
Technical Assessment of Using Dispersants On Marine Oil Spills in The U.S. Gulf of Mexico and California
Authors: Trudel K. , Ross S. , Belore R. , Buffington S. , Rainey G. , Ogawa C. , Panzer D. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
This paper describes two comprehensive technical assessments of potential dispersant use in the Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) and Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Region (POCSR). The assessments considered both operational and environmental issues. Spill scenarios currently used for spill response planning or environmental impact assessments were analyzed. Dispersibility of oils and “time-windows” (TWs) for dispersant operations were assessed for GOMR- and POSCR-produced crude oils, as well as for oils imported into California. The TWs were estimated by oil fate modeling. It was found that most of the GOMR-produced oils for which data were available are light and dispersible when fresh. By contrast, only a few of the POCSR produced oils appear to be dispersible. The situation for oils imported into California is more favorable, as over 50% of crude oil volume imported annually is comprised of oils with adequate TWs. Logistic capacities of various dispersant application platforms were analyzed. Net environmental benefit (NEB) of dispersants was determined by analyzing a number of spill scenarios. Impact and NEB were estimated using models of oil fate, trajectory and environmental impact, combined with resource vulnerability databases. In the NEB-GOMR analysis, dispersants offered a clear net environmental benefit in every scenario. The NEB-POCSR analysis yielded similar conclusions, even though the study involved more complex scenarios.
Changing Habitat Use by Birds after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Authors: Day Robert H. , Murphy Stephen M. , Wiens John A. , Parker Keith R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
We examined the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on mid-summer habitat occupancy by marine-oriented birds during 1989–2001 in Prince William Sound, Alaska, by extending our earlier 1989–1991 data set and analyzing the entire data set as a time-series. Intertidal habitats in the spill-affected area have been recovering, as indicated by significant temporal increases in the proportional coverage of rockweed (Fucus) and mussels (Mytilus) in oiled bays. Of the 25 bird species we examined, 12 (48%) exhibited no evidence of impacts, 10 (40%) exhibited negative impacts that subsequently disappeared, and 3 (12%) exhibited positive relationships with oiling that subsequently disappeared. No species provided clear evidence of delayed impacts, and all of the impacted species exhibited recovery by 2001. In comparison with our 1989–1991 study, we detected a slightly greater proportion of initial spill impacts in this study and were able to document recovery in habitat occupancy of several species that had not recovered by 1991. The present study, however, incorporates 1984 baseline data and a longer time-period for examination of impacts and recovery. Differences between our conclusions and those of other researchers on the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on habitat use by birds may reflect differences in study design, criteria used to assess impacts and recovery, and definitions of “recovery.” These differences illustrate the difficulties of evaluating the consequences of environmental accidents, even large ones.
Spill Response that Benefits the Long-Term Recovery of Oiled Mangroves
Authors: Getter Charles D. , Lewis Roy R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
We revisited three sites in Florida and Puerto Rico that were oiled 23 to 29 years ago, analyzing them and the published literature to determine that mangroves follow a 6 to 25 year recovery cycle. We reviewed response methods and determined that the use of offshore dispersants, the booming of tidal creeks and inlets, the use of onshore sorbents, low-pressure flushing and the manual collection of oily debris provide benefits for recovery at least in the short term. Non-beneficial response efforts that have degraded mangroves include forest cutting, heavy equipment and personnel traffic, tree burning, onshore use of chemicals, and plantings in toxic soil. Perhaps the most detrimental response effort studied was the impoundment of basin forests that has resulted in long-term losses and slow recovery rates. The intertidal use of dispersants has been shown to be beneficial to mangroves, however their use has also caused damages to nearshore environments such as coral reefs. In summary, once the oil has reached sheltered mangrove forests there exist only short-term benefits from traditional response efforts. More likely there are only non-beneficial results compared to natural attenuation. We conclude that the only longterm beneficial response method appears to be a combination of non-intrusive oil collection and booming techniques in heavily oiled, sheltered areas with closely monitored natural recovery in forests more lighly oiled. This should be paired with mitigation programs involving habitat creation either in unoiled areas or in the impact zone following the attenuation of oil and removal of debris from the deteriorating forests.
M/V Kimton: A Case Study of The U. S. Coast Guard's Abandoned Vessel Program
Authors: Kauffman Meridena , Mosley David 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In June of 2000, U. S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO) San Juan conducted the Annual Abandoned Vessel Inventory and noticed an abandoned vessel grounded on a beach in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Personal investigation revealed that the vessel held approximately 5,000 gallons of waste oil in the engine room, posing a pollution threat to the local public. In a thorough attempt to identify the owner, the MSO used the knowledge of local fishermen, the marine police and Department of Natural Resource. When the owner could not be identified, the Captain of the Port decided to use the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to remove the threat of an oil discharge. Upon discovering that five marine batteries and filters had been hidden on board the vessel, it was determined that it was likely being used as a waste dumpsite. If it was indeed a dumpsite, the Coast Guard would then take control of the vessel, initiate salvage operations, and remove it from its location. Local contractors were hired in the first successful oil removal attempt, lasting two days. In April of 2001, the re-assessment was conducted and an additional 5,000 gallons of waste oil was again discovered on the vessel, confirming the belief that it was a dumpsite. A more in depth assessment was conducted, and another 10,000 gallons of fuel oil was discovered in the wing tanks. The second project commenced with a local environmental contractor hired to remove the 15,000 gallons of oil. Then a salvage contractor was hired to mechanically cut the vessel into scrap for disposal. During this time over 300 lbs. of commercial grade C-4 explosives and detonation cord were discovered in a hidden compartment in the aft end of the vessel. The total cost to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund was approximately $700,000.00 and over 2,000 man-hours were spent to complete the project. This three month long abandoned vessel removal is considered an important success for several reasons. Not only did the Coast Guard remove a major pollution threat from the environment, but the municipality has also renovated the beachfront area and installed a boardwalk for public access.
Developing a Database to Support and Prioritize the Removal of Abandoned Vessels Impacting Coral Resources1
Authors: Smith Andrew , Helton Douglas , Zelo Ian 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Derelict and abandoned vessels pose significant threats to coral ecosystems by releasing pollutants, physically destroying habitat, and causing algal blooms through iron deposition. Each of these threats has been anecdotally documented in the recent academic literature and popular press, but the scale and scope of the problem is poorly understood because of reporting inconsistencies at the local level and the lack of data collection and analysis at the national level. NOAA's Damage Assessment Center is attempting to address these issues by creating a comprehensive database of abandoned vessels threatening coral reef ecosystems. While the program has assembled data for vessels across the entire United States and its territories, it is also distributing the data to agencies across the country on CD and through its website. Additionally, the website contains a tool for collecting data from those who log on who have information about vessels both recorded and new to the database.
Developing Contingency Planning Tools to Address Wetland Loss, Ageing Infrastructure, and Oil Spill Risk in Louisiana
Authors: Henry Charlie , Pavia Robert , Zengel Scott A. , Nixon Zachary , Locke Chris , Debusschere Karolien 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is working in partnership with the State of Louisiana to focus on the oil pollution threat resulting from coastal land loss. With land loss, oil production and transportation infrastructure in coastal Louisiana is at increasing risk of damage from natural hazards and human activities. In response, a demonstration project was developed for contingency planning that assesses these concerns. The project identifies structures at risk, ranks them according to weighted considerations, and provides a trajectory analysis for released oil should an incident occur.
Approaches and Application of Comparative Risk Assessment Concepts to Oil Spill Preparedness Planning and Response
Authors: Linkov Igor , Clark Jim R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Comparative Risk Assessment (CRA) is emerging as a methodology that may be applied to facilitate decision-making when various possible activities compete for limited resources. The CRA framework may be an especially valuable tool for prioritization of remediation efforts and for making choices among various environmental policies specific to oil industry operations. This paper will show that CRA is an efficient and cost-saving tool that assists in developing oil spill response priorities based on the broadest possible range of concerns and issues important to all stakeholders. In addition, the CRA approach allows the cost/benefit evaluation of alternative environmental policies and strategies relative to the baseline risks and disruptions associated with oil spills (as well as other costs and benefits of petroleum use).
Planning for Shoreline Response to Spills in Arctic Environments
Authors: Owens Edward H. , Michel Jacqueline 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The Arctic coasts present three unique shoreline types that are common in North America and Eurasia, but that are not found in lower latitudes or in the southern hemisphere: tundra cliffs, peat shorelines, and inundated low-land tundra. Tundra cliffs range in character from ice-rich exposures that are dominated by rapid thermo-erosional processes to high (10–15 meters) sediment-rich cliffs that may be eroded by slumping or basal sapping. One product of this rapid erosion of the tundra is to produce large volumes of peat and in many sections these form the dominant shore-zone material. In low-lying areas the flooding of the tundra has produced extremely complex shoreline configurations characterized by the elevated rims of patterned ground. These unique arctic shore types present different sets of challenges for shoreline cleanup and treatment and have been included in the U.S. marine oil spill response guide published in 2001 by API, NOAA, USCG, and USEPA and several specialized Arctic response manuals published recently by Environment Canada. A low-altitude aerial videotape survey in 2001 produced continuous images of the mainland and barrier island coasts of the Alaskan Beaufort and Chukchi Sea coasts from the Canadian border to Point Hope, used to map the shore types as part of a mapping project for the Minerals Management Service. The mapping revealed that the three arctic shoreline types are present on more than half (54 per cent) of the coast between the Canadian border and Point Hope.
Designing, Executing, and Evaluating a U.S. Government-Led National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Drill
Authors: Cashman Dennis , Stephens Jackie , Boyles LT Thomas 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Planning, designing, and executing an area exercise in accordance with the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines is an extensive time and resource undertaking. Since it's inception in 1991, the National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC) has designed, updated and tested a successful exercise development process. This overview of the process outlines requirements necessary to manage a coordinated exercise development, execution, and follow up lessons learned. The process follows a 24-week cycle depending upon the needs of the organizations being exercised. The NSFCC must adhere to and follow the planning cycle because: at least three other government-led exercises are undergoing development at any given time; adequate time is needed for the Joint Design Team to plan effectively and provide the required data to the NSFCC; members of the Area Committee need time to accomplish their own exercise preparation processes; and time is needed to produce the exercise manuals and arrange logistics for personnel and equipment. The cycle is broken into six phases: the Initial Contact Phase, Coordination & Initial Production Phase, Interim Production Phase, Final Production Phase, Exercise Execution Phase, and Report Development Phase (Figure 1).
Comprehensive Oil Spill Response Planning: Going Beyond “What” your Going to do
Authors: Hubbard Jerry A. , Whitson William W. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
A review of the law and responsibilities for oil spill response reveals a need for taking oil spill response incident management planning beyond just describing what will be done, to a new level that describes specifically who will do it. Facilitating the development of an effective management team in the first 24–48 hours of a spill is critical to setting the response operations in a positive motion, and ultimate success. The development of a draft Incident Command System (ICS) structure to meet the expectations of a Type II incident and pre-identification of personnel for specific assignments will enable a more cohesive personnel qualification process, training and exercises focused on general incident management, and ultimately a better prepared cadre of response personnel. The vision for Coast Guard District Thirteen is a District Response Group that is organized into a defined and pre-approved ICS structure, with these expectations set. The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan requires the Coast Guard to form District Response Groups. By definition, this is all personnel and every asset the Coast Guard has within each District. However, this does not speak to the qualifications of these personnel, or address the tasking some units may receive, both of which are known. In the early hours of a major spill, confusion reigns and calls for help are made. This can be a call for help that is specific, such as the number of beach monitors, OPS Section Chiefs, or Check-in Recorders that are needed, or the more likely request is to send whoever is available. The latter is not likely to enable success if well intentioned but inexperienced management personnel show up. If we know who is available within the Coast Guard district, then we know our strengths. Therefore, we also know our weaknesses, and can identify gaps. By identifying our ICS structure, we can examine our resources, needs, and expectations; and have a plan that works while remaining flexible. There is no need to assemble a management team on the fly in the first 24 hours of a spill.
The Application of Strict Criminal Liabilities to the Spillage of Oil; The Practical Impact on Effective Spill Response
Authors: Gallagher John James 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In spite of the marked success of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA – 33 USC 1251 et seq) and subsequent amendments in restoring and protecting our waterways, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has of late increasingly resorted to unrelated law to inject the concept of strict criminal liability for accidental spillage of oil. The application of strict liability for the spillage of oil can engender criminal penalties for accidental, unintentional spills in the same manner as if the spill was a result of an intentional, purposeful breach of the law. This paper describes the impact of a threat of imposition of strict criminal liability on coordination and communication between those directing a spill response. It describes the chill created when the threat of such liability becomes a reality and the resulting constraints imposed when that specter surfaces, constraints that are both self-imposed and imposed on coordinators by their legal advisors. The paper also identifies a solution in the form of legislation d aimed at limiting the use of unrelated law in oil spills to pull the teeth from this threat without allowing real criminals to escape. Importantly, it also reveals the increased threat to the environment caused by the imposition of strict criminal liability in oil spills resulting an unnecessary degradation of response effectiveness. It also suggests a unique opportunity for bi-lateral support for environmental protection from both commercial and environmental interests.
Development of a Downstream Emergency Response Structure in Brazil
Authors: Chaves Claudia Aguas , Davidson David A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Texaco Brazil S.A. (TBSA), a ChevronTexaco Company, is a far reaching operation consisting of ten company owned bulk plants and one joint venture/company operated bulk plant. Five of these bulk plants are located in the southern half of the Country and are not near any major bodies of water. The other six bulk plants, including the joint venture facility, are located in the northern half of the Country either within the Amazon Basin or on the Atlantic coast: All have waterfront transfer operations. (See Figures 1 and 2) In addition, TBSA transports product, including heavy fuel oil, upon the Amazon River system using third party bulk barges. This paper examines the systematic process being used by TBSA Health, Environment & Safety (HES) personnel to develop and implement an improved emergency response program. The paper concentrates on the six bulk plants with waterfront transfer operations; however the program covers all facilities.
Oil Spill in the Iguassu River – Araucaria, Parana, Brazil Cleaning and Restoration of Rivers and Inundation Areas
Authors: Falkiewicz Fernando Henrique 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
On July 16, 2000 a major oil spill occurred at the side of the Araucaria refinery of Petrobras. A total of 4,000 m3 of a light crude oil (41° API) ran down along a small two kilometers creek referred to as Arroio Saldanha, crossing and contaminating a series of four wetlands. The oil discharged into the Barigüi River, a tributary of the Iguassu River. It's estimated that twenty per cent of all the oil spilled volatilized. After running along the creek and its wetlands, the oil contaminated 6 kilometers of the Barigüi River and 60 kilometers of the Iguassu River. A comprehensive oil recovery emergency response operation was immediately engaged to clean the impacted area and the rivers. Some 3000 persons worked around the clock during the peak of the operations. Helicopters, trucks, oil recovering boats, light boats, mechanical excavators, dredgers and 3,200 meters of retention booms were used. Roads and accesses were reformed or built. The overall emergency response effort proved to be successful; in nine days, all of the free oil was removed from the rivers. The cleaning of the riverbanks and inundation areas was completed in three months. The Saldanha Creek and the four wetlands areas upgradient of the Barigüi River retained approximately 70 per cent of all of the oil spilled, all superficial oil was removed until it could not move superficially, the remaining oil impregnated in the upper soil profiles. Since then, various remediation techniques were implemented to remediate both, soil surface water and groundwater. The upper portion of the soil profile is remediated with bioremediation, using natural indigenous microorganism. This technique consists in cultivating the soil with mechanical agricultural equipment or manually where accessibility does not allow the use of mechanical equipment. Nutrients and other amendments can be added when required. In some cases soil are bioaugmented with microorganisms of the “landfarming” cells of the refinery. This technique is a variant of the landfarming technique that has been studied at the Repar (Refinaria Presidente Getúlio Vargas) refinery for more than ten years. Such technique has proven to be more efficient than traditional landfarming. The soil below 40 centimeters cannot be remediated with this technique. Soils at such depth are being recovered through a series of drainage and injection trenches. Water injected in the injection trench forces the free and trapped oil to move laterally to the recovery trenches. The largest contaminated swamp was transformed in a treatment wetland and its recovery is being monitored and adjusted to quicken the recovering, thus minimizing interference with the natural ecosystem.