Download or read book Responding to Oil Spills in the U S Arctic Marine Environment written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2014-08-01 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: U.S. Arctic waters north of the Bering Strait and west of the Canadian border encompass a vast area that is usually ice covered for much of the year, but is increasingly experiencing longer periods and larger areas of open water due to climate change. Sparsely inhabited with a wide variety of ecosystems found nowhere else, this region is vulnerable to damage from human activities. As oil and gas, shipping, and tourism activities increase, the possibilities of an oil spill also increase. How can we best prepare to respond to such an event in this challenging environment? Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment reviews the current state of the science regarding oil spill response and environmental assessment in the Arctic region north of the Bering Strait, with emphasis on the potential impacts in U.S. waters. This report describes the unique ecosystems and environment of the Arctic and makes recommendations to provide an effective response effort in these challenging conditions. According to Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment, a full range of proven oil spill response technologies is needed in order to minimize the impacts on people and sensitive ecosystems. This report identifies key oil spill research priorities, critical data and monitoring needs, mitigation strategies, and important operational and logistical issues. The Arctic acts as an integrating, regulating, and mediating component of the physical, atmospheric and cryospheric systems that govern life on Earth. Not only does the Arctic serve as regulator of many of the Earth's large-scale systems and processes, but it is also an area where choices made have substantial impact on life and choices everywhere on planet Earth. This report's recommendations will assist environmentalists, industry, state and local policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of this special region to preserve and protect it from damaging oil spills.

Download or read book Oil in the Sea III written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2003-03-14 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the early 1970s, experts have recognized that petroleum pollutants were being discharged in marine waters worldwide, from oil spills, vessel operations, and land-based sources. Public attention to oil spills has forced improvements. Still, a considerable amount of oil is discharged yearly into sensitive coastal environments. Oil in the Sea provides the best available estimate of oil pollutant discharge into marine waters, including an evaluation of the methods for assessing petroleum load and a discussion about the concerns these loads represent. Featuring close-up looks at the Exxon Valdez spill and other notable events, the book identifies important research questions and makes recommendations for better analysis ofâ€"and more effective measures againstâ€"pollutant discharge. The book discusses: Inputâ€"where the discharges come from, including the role of two-stroke engines used on recreational craft. Behavior or fateâ€"how oil is affected by processes such as evaporation as it moves through the marine environment. Effectsâ€"what we know about the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine organisms and ecosystems. Providing a needed update on a problem of international importance, this book will be of interest to energy policy makers, industry officials and managers, engineers and researchers, and advocates for the marine environment.

Download or read book Impacts of Oil Spills on Arctic Marine Species written by Faisal Fahd and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Arctic region is characterized by an ubiquitous presence of sea ice, harsh weather conditions and inhabitation of some unique marine animals. The changing climatic conditions have resulted in receding of the sea ice in the regions along the Arctic boundaries. The receding sea ice has opened the possibilities of tapping into hitherto unexplored reserves of natural resources in the Arctic. Shipping operations along the Northern Sea Route have received an impetus because of the changed sea ice conditions in the region. However, the growing anthropogenic activities also increase the risk of environmental pollution in the region. The Arctic is a home to many unique marine species, such as the polar bear, beluga whales, seals and polar cod. The Arctic marine food chain is non-complex, with limited prey options forming a large portion of the diet of the marine species. Thus, adverse impact to the populations of a species may also impact the well-being of its predators in the Arctic food chain. The knowledge gap in the exposure and toxicological modeling of Arctic marine species were identified to be the presence of limited availability of the toxicity data and dose response relationship. The research questions addressed in this study are as follows: 1. Is the toxicity and impacts in Arctic fish different from their temperate counterparts? 2. What is the risk of mortality to lower tropic sentinel species in the event of an oil spill? 3. What is the risk to apex marine species in the event of an oil spill? The components of Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) are hazard identification, exposure modeling, toxicological modeling and risk characterization. The thesis followed the steps laid down for ERA and identified the polar cod as the sentinel species for the Arctic food chain. The study also identified apex marine predators, polar bear and beluga whales, as species of interest along with polar cod. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are major constituent of the crude oil that can cause deleterious effects in the marine species. The spill scenarios considered for risk assessment to polar cod, polar bear and whale are as follows: Spill over thick sea ice; Spill over thin sea ice; Spill under thick ice. A review of current exposure and toxicological models used for marine species was conducted and a novel toxicological model where the effects of the toxicant exposure were quantified based on the probability of cellular damage and metabolites interactions was proposed. This toxicodynamic approach in conjunction with physiology based toxicokinetic approach was proposed as the best suited approach for modeling and estimating toxicity in the Arctic marine species. This research studied physiological causal dependencies leading to toxicity and mortality in polar cod from PAH exposure. Toxicity is also affected by environmental factors, such as sea ice and feeding behaviors. Presence of sea ice, could mitigate or aggravate the exposure to crude oil, thereby affecting the toxicity of the fish. The polar cod could biotransform some of the ingested PAH using a two-step process, namely, phase I and phase II processes. In phase one, the cytochrome P 4501A (CYP1A) enzymes react with the lipophilic xenobiotic, such as PAH, and convert it to water soluble metabolites for elimination. Phase II reactions further enhance the water solubility of the metabolites produced during the phase I step. The phase II conjugation reactions with glutathione are facilitated by glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The biotransformation toxicity is a result of cell death when the toxic metabolites resulting from the phase I process exceeds the conjugating capacity of the organism via the phase II process. The other pathways of toxicity in polar cod are lipid peroxidation and cell damage. Although the pathways of PAH toxicity and the impact of sea ice on PAH ingestion for the fish had been studied previously, an effort to combine these factors as causal dependencies to estimate mortality in polar cod was never made. A novel Bayesian Network (BN) based model was developed as a part of this research, combining the physiological and environmental factors affecting the PAH exposure and toxicity in polar cod. To estimate the risk to apex marine predators, an Arctic food chain was considered with the sentinel species, polar cod, at its bottom and apex species at its top. The risk to the apex species can be from exposure and susceptibility due to oil spill and additional risk from reduced food availability owing to decreased prey populations from the spill. Another BN based model was developed based on the food chain and spill conditions. The average daily food consumption and baseline population density of seals, polar bears and whales was collated from literature. The changes in populations of the polar cod, seals polar bear and whales due to oil spill were input in the BN model and probabilities of apex species survival are estimated. The BN based risk models developed in this study were demonstrated for a hypothetical spill scenario in a geographic region around the Svalbard Island and Fram Strait. The oil spill scenarios considered in this research are spill over and under thick sea ice and spill on thin sea ice. Three spill sizes considered in this study were 15000 tonnes, 18000 tonnes and 40000 tonnes for low, medium and high states. The PAH weight percentage of 3.9% is assumed in the crude oil, along with a uniform dissolution in the water column. The results of the BN model developed for polar cod and sensitivity analysis of the results suggested that physiological factors followed by sea ice played important role in risk mitigation.The presence of thick sea ice in winter decreased the risk of mortality in polar cod by 16%. The ability of polar cod target organs to eliminate the xenobiotics, evident by various biomarkers activity, decreased the risk of mortality by 25% for worst case scenario. The spill scenario causing highest risk for polar cod population (29% mortality in population) was spill over thin ice in Autumn. The results from the apex species BN risk model predicted a polar cod recruitment collapse for the spill scenarios considered in this study, causing a higher risk of mortality of polar bears, beluga whales, and Narwhals in the Arctic region. Whales (adult and calves) were predicted to be at higher risk when the spill was under thick ice, while adult polar bears were at higher risk when the spill occurred on thin ice. A spill over the thick ice caused the least risk to whale and adult polar bears. The spill's timing and location had a significant impact on the marine animals in the Arctic region due to its unique sea ice dynamics, simple food web, and short periods of food abundance. In summary, this study identifies key marine species in the region and conducts an ecological risk assessment for the species based on the Arctic food chain. Four peer reviewed journal papers were published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin journal as the outcome of this research/thesis.

Download or read book Effects of Petroleum on Arctic and Subarctic Marine Environments and Organisms Biological effects written by Donald C. Malins and published by New York : Academic Press. This book was released on 1977 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A compilation and evaluation of current knowledge on the effects of petroleum on arctic and subarctic marine environments and ecosystems. Volume 1 covers the nature and fate of petroleum; volume 2 the biological effects.

Download or read book Effects of Petroleum on Arctic and Subarctic Marine Environments and Organisms Nature and fate of petroleum written by Donald C. Malins and published by New York : Academic Press. This book was released on 1977 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A compilation and evaluation of current knowledge on the effects of petroleum on arctic and subarctic marine environments and ecosystems. Volume 1 covers the nature and fate of petroleum; volume 2 the biological effects.

Download or read book Oil in the Sea written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1985-01-01 with total page 619 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This comprehensive volume follows up and expands on an earlier National Academy of Sciences book. It is the result of an intensive multidisciplinary effort to assess the problems relating to petroleum-derived hydrocarbons in the marine environment. Specifically, it examines the inputs, analytical methods, fates, and effects of petroleum in the marine environment. The section on effects has been expanded significantly, reflecting the extensive scientific effort put forth in determining the effects of petroleum on marine organisms. Other topics discussed include petroleum contamination in specific geographical areas, the potential hazards of this contamination to human health, the impact of oil-related activities in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the potential impact of petroleum on fisheries.

Download or read book The Use of Dispersants in Marine Oil Spill Response written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2020-04-24 with total page 341 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whether the result of an oil well blowout, vessel collision or grounding, leaking pipeline, or other incident at sea, each marine oil spill will present unique circumstances and challenges. The oil type and properties, location, time of year, duration of spill, water depth, environmental conditions, affected biomes, potential human community impact, and available resources may vary significantly. Also, each spill may be governed by policy guidelines, such as those set forth in the National Response Plan, Regional Response Plans, or Area Contingency Plans. To respond effectively to the specific conditions presented during an oil spill, spill responders have used a variety of response optionsâ€"including mechanical recovery of oil using skimmers and booms, in situ burning of oil, monitored natural attenuation of oil, and dispersion of oil by chemical dispersants. Because each response method has advantages and disadvantages, it is important to understand specific scenarios where a net benefit may be achieved by using a particular tool or combination of tools. This report builds on two previous National Research Council reports on dispersant use to provide a current understanding of the state of science and to inform future marine oil spill response operations. The response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill included an unprecedented use of dispersants via both surface application and subsea injection. The magnitude of the spill stimulated interest and funding for research on oil spill response, and dispersant use in particular. This study assesses the effects and efficacy of dispersants as an oil spill response tool and evaluates trade-offs associated with dispersant use.

Download or read book Scenarios and Responses to Future Deep Oil Spills written by Steven A. Murawski and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-07-04 with total page 542 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It has often been said that generals prepare for the next war by re-fighting the last. The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was unlike any previous – an underwater well blowout 1,500 meters deep. Much has been learned in the wake of DWH and these lessons should in turn be applied to both similar oil spill scenarios and those arising from “frontier” explorations by the marine oil industry. The next deep oil well blowout may be at 3,000 meters or even deeper. This volume summarizes regional (Gulf of Mexico) and global megatrends in marine oil exploration and production. Research in a number of key areas including the behavior of oil and gas under extreme pressure, impacts on biological resources of the deep sea, and the fate of oil and gas released in spills is synthesized. A number of deep oil spills are simulated with detailed computer models, and the likely effects of the spills and potential mitigation measures used to combat them are compared. Recommended changes in policies governing marine oil exploration and development are proposed, as well as additional research to close critical and emerging knowledge gaps. This volume synthesizes state-of-the-art research in deep oil spill behavior and response. It is thus relevant for government and industry oil spill responders, policy formulators and implementers, and academics and students desiring an in-depth and balanced overview of key issues and uncertainties surrounding the quest for deep oil and potential impacts on the environment.

Download or read book Oil Spill Dispersants written by Committee on Understanding Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 408 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Approximately 3 million gallons of oil or refined petroleum products are spilled into U.S. waters every year. Oil dispersants (chemical agents such as surfactants, solvents, and other compounds) are used to reduce the effect of oil spills by changing the chemical and physical properties of the oil. By enhancing the amount of oil that physically mixes into the water, dispersants can reduce the potential that a surface slick will contaminate shoreline habitats. Although called for in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 as a tool for minimizing the impact of oil spills, the use of chemical dispersants has long been controversial. This book reviews the adequacy of existing information and ongoing research regarding the effectiveness of dispersants as an oil spill response technique, as well as the effect of dispersed oil on marine and coastal ecosystems. Oil Spill Dispersants also includes recommended steps for policy makers faced with making hard choices regarding the use of dispersants as part of spill contingency planning efforts or during actual spills.

Download or read book Effects of oil on artic marine organisms written by J. A. Percy and published by . This book was released on 1977 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Fate and Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Marine Ecosystems and Organisms written by Douglas A. Wolfe and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2013-09-24 with total page 501 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fate and Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Marine Organisms and Ecosystems is a collection of papers presented at the international symposium by the same title, held at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Washington on November 10-12, 1976. This book is organized into three parts encompassing 46 chapters. Part I deals with the inputs and physical transport processes influencing the distribution and composition of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine systems. Part II discusses the bioaccumulation and metabolism of hydrocarbons by marine organisms. Part III contains papers that tackle the biological and ecological effects of petroleum exposure in marine systems. This book is of great value to marine and environmental scientists and researchers.

Download or read book Marine Anthropogenic Litter written by Melanie Bergmann and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-06-01 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.

Download or read book An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-12-20 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the Gulf of Mexico recovers from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, natural resource managers face the challenge of understanding the impacts of the spill and setting priorities for restoration work. The full value of losses resulting from the spill cannot be captured, however, without consideration of changes in ecosystem services-the benefits delivered to society through natural processes. An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico discusses the benefits and challenges associated with using an ecosystem services approach to damage assessment, describing potential impacts of response technologies, exploring the role of resilience, and offering suggestions for areas of future research. This report illustrates how this approach might be applied to coastal wetlands, fisheries, marine mammals, and the deep sea-each of which provide key ecosystem services in the Gulf-and identifies substantial differences among these case studies. The report also discusses the suite of technologies used in the spill response, including burning, skimming, and chemical dispersants, and their possible long-term impacts on ecosystem services.

Download or read book Sustainable Shipping in a Changing Arctic written by Lawrence P. Hildebrand and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-08-11 with total page 474 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume brings together multiple perspectives on both the changing Arctic environment and the challenges and opportunities it presents for the shipping sector. It argues for the adoption of a forward-looking agenda that respects the fragile and changing Arctic frontier. With the accelerated interest in and potential for new maritime trade routes, commercial transportation and natural resource development, the pressures on the changing Arctic marine environment will only increase. The International Maritime Organization Polar Code is an important step toward Arctic stewardship. This new volume serves as an important guide to this rapidly developing agenda. Addressing a range of aspects, it offers a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, environmentalists and affected authorities in the shipping industry alike.

Download or read book Handbook of Oil Spill Science and Technology written by Merv Fingas and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-02-02 with total page 641 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides a scientific basis for the cleanup and for the assessment of oil spills Enables Non-scientific officers to understand the science they use on a daily basis Multi-disciplinary approach covering fields as diverse as biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, oceanography and toxicology Covers the science of oil spills from risk analysis to cleanup and through the effects on the environment Includes case studies examining and analyzing spills, such as Tasman Spirit oil spill on the Karachi Coast, and provides lessons to prevent these in the future

Download or read book Effects of Crude Oils on Arctic Marine Invertebrates written by Jonathan Arthur Percy and published by Beaufort Sea Project. This book was released on 1975 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Report on the susceptibility of certain invertebrate components of the Arctic marine inshore ecosystem (Beaufort Sea) to significant distruption by oil pollution.

Download or read book A Selected Bibliography on the Fate and Effects of Oil Pollution Relevant to the Canadian Marine Environment written by A. L. Samson and published by [Hull, Quebec] : Research and Development Division, Environmental Protection Service, Environment Canada = Recherche et développement, Service de protection de l'environnement, Environnement Canada. This book was released on 1980 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: