NONFLOATING OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANNING

Abstract

ABSTRACT Like conventional, lighter-than-water oils, heavy oils that sink or become suspended in water when spilled can cause damage to the environment, threaten human health, and adversely affect economic resources. The behavior of heavy oil in water complicates aspects of spill response including location, mapping and containment of spilled oil; assessment of environmental and economic impacts; responder health and safety; prediction of oil movement; comparison of alternative response methods; and measurement and documentation of cleanup effectiveness. Experience shows that the techniques and equipment needed to respond to heavy oil spills are highly specific to the spill location and circumstances of the spill, accentuating the importance of preincident planning. Sound planning is one of the most important tools available for implementing an effective response to oil spills and minimizing their impacts. In this paper response strategies that have been utilized in nonfloating oil spills are examined, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of techniques and equipment employed in those incidents are discussed. The intent of this examination is to help emergency response planners recognize response methods that have worked under conditions they are likely to encounter so they can plan accordingly.