bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors that Determine the Cost of Oil Spills
Authors: White I.C. , C. Molloy F. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The NAKHODKA and ERIKA oil spills in Japan and France, respectively, have once again focused attention on the potentially high cost of such events and the adequacy of the current international compensation arrangements. This prompted a study by the International Group of P&I Clubs of the costs of 360 oil spills occurring outside of the USA between 1990 and 1999. The results of the study, as well as examples drawn from specific incidents, provide a good basis for examining the technical factors that, in combination, give rise to great variation between the costs of individual incidents. One of the most important factors is the type of oil, coupled with the physical, biological and economic characteristics of the spill location. However, other factors such as the amount spilled and rate of spillage; weather and sea conditions; time of the year and the effectiveness of clean-up can also be crucial in determining the overall cost of an incident. One conclusion is that it is inappropriate to make cost comparisons between fundamentally different oil spill events by reference to a single parameter, such as the total amount of oil spilled.
The International Compensation Regime Revisited
Authors: Jacobsson Måns 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The international regime of compensation was established by two international treaties elaborated under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), namely the 1969 Civil Liability Convention and the 1971 Fund Convention. These Conventions were revised by Protocols in 1992, and the revised Conventions, known as the 1992 Conventions, have effectively replaced the original ones. The 1992 Civil Liability Convention governs the liability of the shipowner, whereas the 1992 Fund Convention provides supplementary compensation through the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (1992), financed by a levy on oil receipts in member nations. The total amount of compensation under the 1992 Conventions is US$178 million per incident but will be increased to US$269 million from 1 November 2003. This paper describes briefly the scope and application of the Conventions with reference to specific incidents involving the IOPC Funds, focusing on developments over the past two years. In view of the experience of recent major incidents, the 1992 Fund has set up a Working Group to hold an exchange of views concerning the need for and possibilities of improving the international compensation regime established by the 1992 Conventions. As a first step, the Working Group prepared a draft Protocol establishing an optional third tier of compensation by means of a Supplementary Compensation Fund which would provide additional compensation over and above that available under the 1992 Conventions. The draft Protocol will be considered by a Diplomatic Conference to be held under the auspices of the IMO in May 2003. Certain issues relating to environmental damage have been considered. The Working Group continues its review of the 1992 Conventions and will examine a number of issues, inter alia, shipowners’ liability.
Fire Resistant Booms Tested in Flames at Ohmsett
Authors: Buist Ian , Potter Steve , Mullin Joe , Lane Jim , Devitis Dave , Schmidt Bill , Stahovec Joe , Urban Bob , Moffatt Craig 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
An enhanced propane underwater bubbler system designed to allow the testing of fire-resistant booms in flames was installed at Ohmsett in the fall of 1998 by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and the US Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV). The test is based on a screening protocol for testing fire resistant booms in waves and flames developed for MMS and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). The cornerstone of the test is an underwater bubbler system to create air-enhanced propane flames that produce an average total heat flux to the surface of a candidate containment system in the range of 110 to 130 kW/m2 and flame temperatures near the containment device on the order of 900°C. The candidate boom is stretched over the center of the bubbler, parallel to the long dimensions of the test tank, and tensioned to realistic towing forces. The fire exposure portion of the test involves three cycles of one hour of exposure to air-enhanced propane flames in waves, followed by a one-hour cool-down period in waves alone, and conforms to ASTM F 2152-01. Since the air-enhanced propane system was developed, 11 fire resistant boom systems have been tested. These include: three refractory fabric booms, one stainless steel boom, three water-cooled blanket prototypes, three reflective/insulating blanket prototypes, and one water-cooled boom. This paper summarizes the test methods used and the results.
Improving Seafood Safety Management after an Oil Spill
Authors: Yender Ruth A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Recent experience indicates that promptly providing state and local seafood safety managers with key information and assistance during an oil spill response can help prevent unnecessary restrictions on seafood harvest. Efforts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) to help facilitate and expedite the decision-making process of seafood safety managers after an oil spill include two recently published guidebooks on seafood testing and risk assessment. Of particular interest is a comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) criteria established for seafood at past United States oil spills. Depending on assumptions made in the health risk calculations, criteria for shellfish ranged from 5 to 120 parts per billion (ppb) benzo[a]pyrene equivalents. Nearly all seafood samples analyzed at these spills passed established criteria, indicating oil spills in the United States have not posed significant risk to human health through consumption of PAH-contaminated seafood. Seafood marketability has more often been impacted, due to petroleum taint (off-odor or off-flavor). Evaluation of seafood marketability can be facilitated through employment of standardized sensory testing protocols for detecting petroleum taint, such as those recently published by NOAA.
Response to an Oil Spill from a Sunken WWII Oil Tanker in Yap State, Micronesia
Authors: Gilbert Trevor , Nawadra Sefanaia , Tafileichig Andy , Yinug Leonard 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In August 2001 a State of Emergency was declared in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) following a significant oil spill from the USS Mississinewa, a sunken WWII US military oil tanker, in the remote and environmentally sensitive atoll known as Ulithi Lagoon. Due to the severity of the spill, a complete ban on fishing within the lagoon area was imposed by the Environment Protection Agency and Marine Resources Department of Yap State. The spill occurred over a two-month period between July and August 2001. A request for assistance to the US Navy to plug the leak and salvage the cargo was made by the President of FSM. He also requested the assistance of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to do an independent study on the wreck and determine the environmental impacts of the oil spill from the sunken vessel. This paper highlights the response to oil spills from the vessel and the findings of the field environmental assessment in Ulithi lagoon and surrounding islands. It also addresses the issue of more than 1000 WWII shipwrecks around the Pacific and the strategy and database currently being developed by SPREP to document and address the pollution risk posed to environmentally sensitive Pacific Island Nations.
Petrobras Wildlife Rehabilitation Response at Guanabara Bay Oil Spill
Authors: Barcellos Lauro , Silva Fo. Rodolfo Pinho , Ruopollo Valéria , Guimarães Pedro Penido Duarte , Pará Paulo César Dias , Reis Fábio Augusto P. , Menezes Ana Cristina Lima , Sauerbronn José Luiz Bampa 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Due to an oil spill at Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, on January 18th, 2000, a large effort was made by PETROBRAS and the Museu Oceanográfico of Rio Grande (Oceanographic Museum / Centre for Rehabilitation of Marine Animals) to rescue and rehabilitate affected wildlife. With the technical support of the staff of the Oceanographic Museum two field bases were established and totally equipped for standard rehabilitation procedures. Around 200 people, including experts, volunteers, environmental agencies personnel, NGOs members and PETROBRAS employees, were involved with the rescue teams and first aid. International protocols were adapted with creativity to the situation to treat birds, most of them cormorants. 55% of the birds treated were released back in the wild by the Brazilian environmental authorities. Cetaceans were also monitored around the bay and 3 weeks after the spill, there were no signs that they have been affected. 75 dolphins that generally use the bay were often seen swimming in the area soon after the spill. Some lessons to PETROBRAS and Brazilian organizations are being discussed in this paper.
Damage Assessment and Restoration Planning for the M/V Kuroshima Oil Spill1
Authors: Helton Douglas 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
On November 26, 1997, the M/V Kuroshima, a 370-foot refrigerated cargo vessel owned by Kuroshima Shipping, S.A., broke away from its anchorage in Summer Bay on Unalaska Island, near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. While the vessel was attempting to move to a safer anchorage, winds in excess of 100 knots blew the freighter into Second Priest Rock, damaging several of the vessel's fuel tanks. The vessel subsequently ran aground on the shore of Summer Bay. Approximately 39,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil were spilled, oiling Summer Bay and nearby Humpy and Morris Coves. High winds and surf carried oil upstream into a nearby lake and on to the dunes. Windblown oil also contaminated vegetation and an archaeological site. This paper reviews the overall incident, and briefly summarizes the results of the damage assessment and restoration planning process undertaken for this spill.
The Role of Petroleum Geochemistry in Defining Oil Spill Recovery: Examples from the Exxon Valdez Spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Authors: Page David S. , Bence A. Edward , Burns William A. , Boehm Paul D. , Brown John S. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The application of petroleum geochemistry to determining the fate and effects of oil spills in the marine environment requires high quality data to allow source identification through fingerprinting methods and unbiased sampling designs that allow valid comparisons to be made to detect spill related effects in the presence of other sources of environmental stress. This is particularly important in long-term studies, where sources of hydrocarbons and other pollutants unrelated to the spill event and non-spill related environmental effects become far more important in defining the environmental status of the spill zone. In studies of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, petroleum geochemistry is used to identify the many sources contributing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to the marine environment of Prince William Sound (PWS), including the Exxon Valdez oil spill, oil seep residues, particulates from eroding organic shales and coal formations, forest fire fallout, recent biogenic inputs and past human and industrial activities. A sediment quality triad-based shoreline ecology program (SEP), begun in 1990, includes a random sampling component and worst-case non-random site component that provides chemistry data through 2001 to determine the fate and bioavailability of spill oil residues on the shorelines. Environmental half-life values for the PAH at oiled sites range from 2.0 – 7.4 months for upper intertidal areas. Analysis of mussel tissue samples collected at worst-case spill locations find PAH concentrations in the same range as reference site samples. The results of concurrent sediment toxicity measurements using standard bioassays defines a dose-response relationship for total PAH concentration (TPAH) having a threshold of effect TPAH of 2,600 ng/g (dry wt.) that agrees well with the onset of sublethal ecological stress as defined by reductions in infaunal community structure parameters.
Monitoring Recovery of Prince William Sound, Alaska, Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: Bioavailability of PAH in Offshore Sediments
Authors: Neff Jerry M. , Boehm Paul D. , Kropp Roy , Stubblefield William A. , Page David S. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
We determined the bioavailability to sediment-dwelling marine worms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with offshore sediments from 3 spill path and 3 non-spill path areas of Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, 12 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The PAHs in sediments from 4 sites sampled in 2001 were primarily from a regional natural petrogenic background derived from organic-rich shales and natural oil seeps associated with sources southeast of PWS. Pyrogenic (combustion) PAHs, primarily from former human and industrial activities, were more abundant than petrogenic PAHs in nearshore sediments from 2 bays associated with past and current human activities. We performed sediment bioaccumulation tests with the six sediments and polychaete worms according to standard EPA protocols. All the PAHs had a very low bioavailability, as indicated by low values for biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) in the worms. Mean BSAFs for total PAHs (sum of 41 analyte groups) ranged from 0.002 to 0.009. The worms exposed to spill path and non-spill path sediments bioaccumulated small amounts of 4- and 5-ring PAHs, particularly fluoranthene and pyrene; these higher molecular weight PAHs are responsible for induction of mixed function oxygenase (MFO) activity in marine fish, birds, and mammals. These results may help to explain in part why fish from throughout PWS exhibit induced MFO activity. Elevated levels of MFO activity cannot be used as evidence of recent exposure by marine fish, birds, and mammals in the sound to Exxon Valdez oil.
Public Perceptions on the Use of Oil Spill Response Methods in Alaskan Waters and the Level of Trust in Organizations to Prevent Oil Spills
Authors: Pearson Leslie A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
All of the cleanup methods available for responding to a marine oil spill in Alaska have operational limitations. In Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, non-mechanical response methods such as the use of chemical dispersants or in situ burning can be requested as secondary cleanup options. This study identifies citizens’ concern and determines the preference of response methods and perceived effectiveness of each method. Environmental risks, values, and the level of trust residents in communities of Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet are also examined., A correlational research design was used to answer research questions with survey data collected by randomly sampling 1657 residents in fifteen communities of Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. Of the 1657 surveys mailed a response rate of 41% was obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyze the survey information. General descriptive statistical analysis was used to examine responses to each statement in the survey. Inferential statistical analysis was used to quantify the direction and strength of a relationship between variables., In general, 92% of the respondents support the use of mechanical recovery methods, 61% support the use of in situ burning and 45% chemical dispersants. The population recognizes burning as a means of removing large quantities of oil from the sea surface and the environmental risk of displacing pollutants into the atmosphere. Environmental concerns associated with the use of chemical dispersants are tied to seasonal abundance of and impact to marine organisms, amount of area and subsistence use and dependency on marine resources., The survey population's ecological priorities are commercial fishing, sea mammals and sea birds. The U.S. Coast Guard and Commercial Fishing Associations are held to the highest level of trust while the Alaska State Legislature and U.S. Congress received the lowest level of trust for ensuring Alaska waters remain oil free.
News Media Organisations and Oil Spill Coverage
Authors: Anderson Alison G. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The news media play a key role in framing the media coverage of oil spills. It is imperative that scientists, industry and policymakers are fully tuned into the ways in which current news organisations operate. Over recent years, a growing environmental promotion industry has emerged, alongside an increasing emphasis on environmental advocacy within the commercial sector. A number of information crises (notably, the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989) have forced sections of industry to take a more proactive approach to environmental communications as potent media imagery has directly contradicted assurances that environmental protection is not compromised by their activities. Particular issues or events that capture attention tend to be highly visually appealing and resonate with deeply held beliefs and values that operate at a symbolic level.
This paper examines the preliminary findings of an international online survey of environmental reporting distributed to key environmental journalist news groups and generalist journalist news groups during June and July 2002. In particular, it focuses upon the following: journalists’ views about what makes a newsworthy story; their degree of scientific training; the constraints under which they work; their main sources of information; their relationships with news sources; and the impact of editorial policy. Interviews with environment correspondents reveal that relatively few possess scientific training and they tend to rely heavily upon official sources of information. The news agendas of broadcasters closely mirror that of print journalists and there is remarkable consensus concerning ‘news values’ – the taken for granted notions about what constitutes a ‘good’ news story. Having presented the main findings of the survey, the paper concludes by arguing that what is needed is greater communication between scientists, industry and journalists leading to an increased mutual recognition of the specific constraints under which they operate.
Emulsion Formation Testing in the Laboratory and Ohmsett
Authors: Fingas Merv , Fieldhouse Ben , Noonan Jordan , Lambert Pat , Lane James , Mullin Joseph 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
This paper summarizes studies to determine the stability of water-in-oil emulsions in the OHMSETT tank facility and comparison with laboratory results. The OHMSETT tests were in four series. The tests were one week each in the first year and two weeks each in the second year. The first and second series consisted of 12 experiments each on 6 oils. The third series consisted of testing 9 oils through a series of 16 experiments. In the fourth set of tests, 8 oils were used in 16 experiments. Several of the experiments consisted of leaving the oils for longer periods of time. The rheological properties of the oils were measured and compared to the same oils undergoing emulsification in the laboratory. The oils and water-in-oil states produced were found to have analogous properties between the laboratory and the OHMSETT facility. Comparison of time and work factors showed that the energy in the two test conditions was similar. These tests also provide information on the kinetics and energy levels necessary to form emulsions, which is useful to oil spill modellers. These studies have confirmed previous laboratory studies that show that the stability of emulsions can be grouped into four categories: stable, unstable, meso-stable, and entrained. Water can reside in oil as ‘entrained water', in which larger droplets of water are temporarily suspended by viscous forces. These emulsions and mixtures have been distinguished by physical measures as well as visual differences.
Wind Uncertainty in Long Range Trajectory Forecasts
Authors: Lehr William J. , Simecek-Beatty Debra , Hodges Marc 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The essential equations of oil spill trajectory modeling have not changed in four decades. The vast majority of existing trajectory models divide the slick up into pieces, called Lagrangian Elements (LE's). The models move the LE's by summing movement vectors related to three somewhat interrelated components; surface water currents, turbulent diffusion, and surface wind stress. Improvement in modeling has consisted, chiefly, of better refining these three components. While such trajectory models generate predictions, the real world is filled with uncertainty. As the spill response community seeks longer-range forecasts, spill models must be able to not only provide a best-guess prediction but also to estimate the likelihood and extent of any errors in the prediction. Wind forecast error often is the major contributor to trajectory error for longer-range forecasts because, more so than currents, wind is subject to rapid change in magnitude and direction. This paper provides a formula to identify a possible practical limit of predictability for dynamical wind models. It also describes a method to estimate probability bounds on slick location based on a selected set of past wind records that vary within a prescribed variance from the present and forecasted winds. Based on the degree of confidence in the wind forecast and the sensitivity to risk from a bad guess, the user can adjust the size of this variance. By extrapolating the set of selected wind records, longer-range trajectory bounds can be given that extend past any deterministic wind forecast and give long-range trajectory analysis to the spill responder.
A Review of Oil-in-Water Monitoring Techniques: The Concluding Results
Authors: Lambert P. , Goldthorp M. , Fieldhouse B. , Wang Z. , Fingas M. , Pearson L. , Collazzi E. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
A comprehensive laboratory study of the Turner Instrument flow-through models 10AU and 10 fluorometers was conducted to review their ability to measure real-time oil-in-water concentrations and to further understand the relationship of the fluorescence to the chemical composition of the oils. The oils and dispersant used in the program were Alberta Sweet Mixed Blend (ASMB) crude oil (0% and 26% weathered samples), Prudhoe Bay (PB) crude oil (0% and 27% weathered samples), Bunker C (BC) fuel oil (0% and 8.4% weathered samples), Diesel fuel (0% and 37% weathered samples) and Corexit 9500 respectively. The chemical composition of the oils was determined by gas chromatographic techniques and compared to the signal outputs of the fluorometers. It was found that the fluorometer data could not be directly linked to the concentration of any specific aromatic hydrocarbon such as naphthalene or to the sum of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds. Evidence suggests that the fluorescence signal is generated by a combination of PAH compounds. The relative contribution of each PAH compound is not equal. Finally, the response of the fluorometers may also be influenced by the presence of volatile aromatic compounds such as BTEX and C3- benzenes in combination with the PAH compounds.
Analysis of US Oil Spill Trends to Develop Scenarios for Contingency Planning
Authors: Etkin Dagmar Schmidt 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
A method for using past US oil spill data to project potential future vessel spill sizes was demonstrated including methods for taking into account vessel type and local factors (e.g., vessel traffic, navigational hazards, and regulations) and implementation of spill prevention measures (e.g., tanker double-hulls). A methodology for determining “theoretical” (OPA 90-defined) vs. “most-likely” worst-case oil discharge scenarios was also demonstrated. Past vessel spills were analyzed for vessel-and spill cause-specific percent cargo or fuel outflow. Distributions of outflow percentages were then imposed on various annual vessel traffic patterns to determine the probability distribution functions of spill types that would be expected if there were spills.