ECOLOGICAL MAPPING AND CLEANUP OF OIL SPILLS ONSHORE

Abstract

ABSTRACT An ecological mapping project aims at mapping in advance areas along the Norwegian coast most likely to be exposed to oil spills from offshore oil activities. Up to now, the southernmost parts of ths coast as well as those parts along the northern coast most likely to be subject to oil spills from possible wells at the Haltenbanken, Traenabanken and Trømsoflaket have been mapped. Oil originating from a blowout at the northern oilfields is likely to reach the coast in a few days. This stresses the necessity and demand for locality information in a survey able and operative form. The maps provide information about important areas with respect to natural resources, and their value for nature conservation reasons, industrial utilization, or development. Among parameters recorded on the maps are geomorphological beach types and important geological, zoological and botanical localities. Further, seabird species, seals, local fishing places and important resorts or outdoor life areas are mapped. The mapping of areas for pelagic fish species, as well as localities for fish farming and storage in the sea of live catches, has been a subject of major concern. The geomorphological types are correlated to anticipated self-cleaning ability. A matrix for prioritizing localities with respect to cleanup actions also is presented. This implies quantifying each locality with regard to its biological, commercial, and outdoor life importance and self-cleaning ability.