PERSISTENCE OF OIL IN BEACH SAND FOLLOWING A CATASTROPHIC RELEASE OF NO. 2 FUEL OIL

Abstract

ABSTRACT Contamination of beach sand from two large releases of no. 2 fuel oil was found to persist for years in intertidal sand and for months in sand at the storm high tide line. This information on the unexpected persistence of this light, volatile fuel oil in the beach environment is invaluable in determining whether active remediation or natural attenuation is appropriate for the restoration of a contaminated beach. The major receptors of the impact of this contamination are a driving force in deciding what remedial approach should be taken. The two releases reported had different receptors. The major impact from the World Prodigy spill was to a public bathing beach. The oil contamination was of primary importance to residents of the town of Jamestown. Active remediation was conducted to restore an important socioeconomic resource. The major impact from the North Cape spill was to a beach in a wildlife refuge that is a protected nesting area for the threatened bird species, the piping plover. Active remediation was not conducted because of concern over disturbing the plover habitat, but would have been conducted had this been a public bathing beach.