Completely new case studies are included with special attention to the deepwater horizon event, covering the impacts of wetlands and sand. Coast guard during oil spill response operations in alaska and maintains a role on the alaska regional. Biological effects examines the biological effects of petroleum on marine ecosystems and organisms in arctic and subarctic regions. With increased interest in the arctic as a potential shipping route, grace has developed improved mitigation tools. Biological consequences of oilspills in arctic waters springerlink. The dangers of arctic oil greenpeace international. The plant communities studied in the western canadian arctic were. The long hours of sunlight may help the microbes to break up oil molecules into smaller pieces. The effects of a very large oil spill on the marine environment in the chukchi and beaufort seas are unknown. Greenpeace and the world wildlife fund wwf have protested against the high risk of an oil spill in difficult arctic conditions. However, there is still uncertainty about the effect of oil in ice covered environments.
Scientific understanding of environmental conditions in sensitive environments in deep gulf waters, along the regions coastal habitats, and in areas proposed for more drilling, such as the arctic, is inadequate. Marine oil spillsoil pollution, sources and effects. Oil pollution in antarctica request pdf researchgate. According to the arcopstudy 1, it seems that longterm effects of oil spills on open water ecosystem may be less important than generally assumed, and restricted to a relatively small area. We identify research entities in governmental, nongovernmental, industrial, and private organizations, and provide an inventory of. We identify research entities in governmental, nongovernmental, industrial, and private organizations, and provide an inventory of research projects. Luckily, scientists have figured out ways to help reverse some of the effects of a spill. Focuses particularly on information related to oilspills. To enable proper risk assessment, it is crucial to understand how oil spills can impact arctic marine ecosystems. In addition to conducting tests in the hamburg ship.
It is important for environmental health and human quality of life that any unintended oil spills can be monitored online and cleaned up effectively. Following an oil spill, there are specialists and veterinarians to deal with oiled wildlife. There are also ways to help prevent such disasters from happening in the future. Oil spills have a number of effects on the environment and economy. How oil harms animals and plants in marine environments. Human impacts on antarctica and threats to the environment pollution antarctica is particularly sensitive to the effects of pollution as the environment is near pristine to begin with meaning that any pollution is often more obvious, the cold temperatures mean that the natural processes that help remove pollution in other parts of the world happen far more slowly so it has more of a chance. Deep oil spills facts, fate, and effects steven murawski springer. The arctic has short summers, low temperatures, and limited sunlight, it can take decades for arctic regions to recover from damage. The diesel oil continues flowing from the ship, which now rests 4,800 feet below the sea, vallegos told cooperativa radio. States such as alaska, however, depend on oil to keep their state running, and about 85 percent of its budget is supplied by oil revenues.
As long as we are using fossil fuels, such as crude and heavy fuel oil, for our transportation, oil spills will keep occurring. Cameron on august 28, 2015 leave a comment in july 2015 the obama administration has given royal dutch shell plc approval to begin with limited exploratory oil drilling off alaskas northwest coast, in the chukchi sea. There are many rumors and tales and even media reports about oil spills from pipelines in the former soviet union, but few have been well investigated, studied, andor reported. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in. We are developing an arctic environmental response management application, a critical gis tool to support decision makers during oil spills and training exercises. These studies were conducted with a variety of media, test organisms, and experimental designs. Purchase oil spill science and technology 2nd edition. Petroleum effects in the arctic environment book, 1985. Why an oil spill in arctic waters would be devastating environment. The effects of oil spills on phytoplankton in an arctic.
A major oil spill that occurs in severe arctic conditions will never be cleaned up to the point that serious environmental damage will be avoided. Given their particular importance, the effects of oil spills on fisheries and mariculture are considered in a separate technical information paper. Drilling activity causes longterm exposure and thus chronic effects on arctic marine ecosystems, such as changes in species composition, dominance and biomass, while oil spill effects are acute and can cause severe damage locally 1. This book is a compilation of research on oil spills in icecovered arctic waters and recommendations for future work. The 24 hour sunlight during the arctic summer may both help and hinder oil spill cleanup. Human impacts on antarctica and threats to the environment pollution antarctica is particularly sensitive to the effects of pollution as the environment is near pristine to begin with meaning that any pollution is often more obvious, the cold temperatures mean that the natural processes that help remove pollution in other parts of the world happen far more slowly so it has more of a. In this regard, the 1989 exxon valdez oil spill in the nearshore waters of alaska is unique. Even species that spend most of their lives at sea, such as various species of sea turtles, must come ashore to nest. Jul 19, 2017 is not ready to clean up an arctic oil spill. Letting shell drill in arctic could lead to catastrophic oil.
Enhanced detection, response and impact assessment of arctic. Overview of effects of oil spills on marine mammals. The impact of oil spills can also ruin the infrastructure and economy of a particular area with the longterm effects being felt for decades. The effects of oil spills can have wide ranging impacts that are often portrayed by the media as long lasting environmental disasters. The assessment will also include discussion of fate and effects. On several oil spills and how they were handled, cleaned up and what kind of after effects were left. Environmental conditions severely impact response to oil pollution with. As oil companies move further north, many say its only a matter of time before a big spill. In particular, focus is given to the evaluation of oil spill countermeasures for use under arctic conditions in light of anticipated regional increases in marine traffic e. The threat of a major arctic oil spill and the potential impacts on the regions marine ecosystems are of concern for a broad range of u. 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. An introduction and inventory of research activities and usarc recommendations mitigation, containment, countermeasures, cleanup and recovery, environmental effects by progressive management available from rakuten kobo.
Predicting the fate of oil spills in arctic sea ice. Worried about climate change and oil spills, the uns international maritime organization is considering new rules for shippings fuel of choice. Emerging spill risks include increased maritime activity in the arctic, deepwater exploration and development, and the rapid expansion of rail transport of crude oil. Aug 28, 2015 the impact of offshore oil drilling in the arctic by e. This volume explores the physics, chemistry, subsurface oil deposition and environmental impacts of deep oil spills. A structured overall spill risk assessment model for oil spills in arctic and subarctic conditions is developed to identify response capacity needs, priority areas, and localization of resources. Once a year, scientists megan balks and jackie aislabie venture to the coldest place on earth, visiting climate research stations in antarctica since the mid1990s, jackie, a microbiologist at landcare, and megan, a soil scientist, have been studying old oil spills, to assess the impact of human activity in antarctica.
Longterm damage to species and their habitats and nesting or breeding grounds is one of the most farreaching environmental effects caused by oil spills. In the field of offshore oil pollution prevention, preparedness and response, the u. The lack of scientific evidence raises critical concerns about further oil. Marine mammals are common, highly visible, and charismatic species that are potentially vulnerable to oil contamination, yet we know surprisingly little about the effects of oil on either individuals or populations. Wetzel has served on panels to develop and assess protocols for oil spill response research and. Such perceptions are understandable as they are often fuelled by distressing images of oiled birds and other wildlife. Reviews the present available research information on the physical and ecological effects of petroleum in the arctic environment. Integrated oil spill response actions and environmental. Deep oil spills facts, fate, and effects steven murawski. Covers the science of oil spills from risk analysis to cleanup and through the effects on the environment. The risks of such an accident are ever present and the oil industrys response plans remain wholly inadequate. Her research focuses on sublethal effects of chemical contaminant exposure on essential biochemical processes in marine organisms from corals to polar bears.
Human impacts on antarctica and threats to the environment. Enhanced detection, response and impact assessment of. The united states is not prepared for oil spills and does not yet even have adequate capability of icebreakers that can access hardtoreach areas. Even if we try to clean up a spill the lack of infrastructure and remoteness of the arctic means it can take days or weeks to respond. International experts in the field of oil spill response, including reprsentatives from 26 nato countries, participated in a workshop in canada to discuss their experience in the development and application of current and emerging technologies for oil spill response in the marine environment. Oil spill science and technology 2nd edition elsevier. Handbook of oil spill science and technology wiley. During the long period of oil and gas exploitation, the adverse impacts of marine oil spill have been documented in various aspects. Wetzel has served on panels to develop and assess protocols for oil spill response research and for oil dispersant use in the arctic. Oil destroys the insulating ability of furbearing mammals, such as sea otters, and the water repellency of a birds feathers, thus.
Causes, consequences, prevention, and countermeasures. Letting shell drill in arctic could lead to catastrophic. Leipzig, germany, abstract book, issue 17th international symposium on. Studying oil spills in antarctica science learning hub. Summary even the remote polar regions are not immune to oil and fuel spills and have suffered detrimental ecological impacts due to. The effects of oil spills on phytoplankton in an arctic lake and ponds. This is important for companies involved in offshore activities in the arctic and for oil spill response authorities and their crossborder collaboration bodies. Oil spill science and technology, second edition, delivers a.
Oil exploration at sea can lead to oil spills from drilling platforms, underwater pipelines or freight shipping. Sep 08, 2017 the beaufort sea is part of the arctic ocean, located north of alaska and western canada. Biophysical environments do recover from oil spill effects. Potential environmental impacts of oil spills in greenland. This book includes long term studies and well documented effects of marine life well after the oil spill happened. Oil spills are one of the worst environmental disasters. Spilled or leaked oil can contaminate water, making it unsafe for animals and humans who live near the accident.
For example, models can help predict trajectories of oil spills abascal 2009, brostrom et al. The beaufort sea is part of the arctic ocean, located north of alaska and western canada. On a basic level, oil spill effects will damage waterways, marine life and plants and animals on the land. Spill impacts will be related to the amount and type of oil released. Since oil production in the arctic has thus far been limited, the impact have not been thoroughly studied. The united states is not prepared for oil spills and does not yet even have adequate capability. Be it in the arctic or any other ocean, oil spills are always extremely bad for the environment and have longlasting effects on the ecosystem. Latest research news on oil spills, oil spill cleanup, designing to avoid oil spills and more. Although a great deal of informed speculation on the probable causes, spread, effects and treatment of the oilspills which must, sooner or later, occur in arctic.
The impact of oil spills can also ruin the ecology and economy of a particular area with longterm effects for decades. Levine said a spill would have catastrophic effects on the areas wildlife and devastate one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world. Dec 23, 2016 an oil terminal to be built in northern russia where the river yenisei meets the arctic ocean lacks the technology to deal with oil spills, say environmentalists. The deepwater horizon oil spill blowout did much to change the perception of oil spills as. Arctic oceans hold a substantialamount of the worlds remaining oil and gas reserves, but exploration is extremely technically challenging. Arctic oil drilling is a dangerous, highrisk enterprise and an oil spill under these icy waters would have a catastrophic impact on one of the most pristine, unique and beautiful landscapes on earth.
The same is true of the human and natural impacts of oil spills. Feb 25, 2019 in general, oil spills can affect animals and plants in two ways. This paper considers some of the effects of oil spills on a variety of coastal industries and social activities and considers measures which might reduce their impact. The project sought to answer an important question. These presentations which form the basis of chapters in this book provide a practical viewpoint of methods used to deal with oil spills under the variety of environmental conditions found in the marine environment. During the cleanup operations of the exxon valdez spill in alaska and deepwater horizon in the gulf of mexico, only 15% to 25% of oil was successfully removed through mechanical methods, such as mechanical recovery and burning of the spilled oil. Pdf the effects of oil spills on phytoplankton in an arctic. But locals have said both of those activities are under threat from an oil terminal due to be built on the tanalau cape, near where the river empties into the arctic ocean. Arctic and antarctic spills handbook of oil spill science and. This chapter summarizes facts and effects of oil spills in oceans, and based on this, the response strategies and policies can be improved. May 12, 2015 levine said a spill would have catastrophic effects on the areas wildlife and devastate one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world. Horizon event, covering the impacts of wetlands and sand beaches, a mass. Assessment of the effects of oil on arctic marine fish and marine mammals.
Understanding both types of impacts can help spill responders minimize overall impacts to ecological communities and help them to recover much more quickly. An oil terminal to be built in northern russia where the river yenisei meets the arctic ocean lacks the technology to deal with oil spills, say environmentalists. Dispersant preauthorization in alaska should be based on sound science, including research on fates and effects of chemically dispersed oil in the arctic environment, experiments using oils that are representative of those in the arctic, toxicity tests of chemically dispersed oil at realistic concentrations and exposures, and. However, it may also make the oil compounds more toxic for aquatic organisms. Effects of petroleum on arctic and subarctic marine environments and organisms, volume ii. The impact of offshore oil drilling in the arctic peace. Jul 19, 2007 once a year, scientists megan balks and jackie aislabie venture to the coldest place on earth, visiting climate research stations in antarctica since the mid1990s, jackie, a microbiologist at landcare, and megan, a soil scientist, have been studying old oil spills, to assess the impact of human activity in antarctica. Apr 22, 2020 latest research news on oil spills, oil spill cleanup, designing to avoid oil spills and more. Sunken antarctic cruise ship left oil spill nbc news. Effects of experimental spills of crude oil on arctic vegetation. Effects of oil spills in arctic waters by karl magnus eger oil in the arctic marine ecosystem originates mainly from two sources. The effects of oil spills on phytoplankton in an arctic lake and ponds michael c, et al miller on. I believe this is a reliable source because it was located in the opposing viewpoints in the bibliography notations of a. These experts are trained on how to clean oil from animals, rehabilitate them, and return them to the environment.