Ecological considerations for the use of dispersants in oil spill response

By: , and 
Edited by: Tom E. Allen

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Abstract

A multidisciplinary task force with membership from government agencies, academia, and industry is developing ecologically based guidelines for dispersant use in marine and estuarine environments. The guidelines are organized by habitat type (e.g., coral reefs, rocky shores, bird habitats) and consider dispersant use to protect the habitats from impact, to mitigate impacts, and to clean the habitats after a spill. Each guideline contains a description of the habitat type covered, recommendations for dispersant use, and a background section reviewing the relevant literature. The goal is to minimize the ecological impacts of oil spills. Aesthetic, socioeconomic, and political factors are not considered, although it is recognized that these are important concerns during spill response. Use of dispersants is considered along with other appropriate countermeasures and compared with the “no cleanup” alternative.
Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Ecological considerations for the use of dispersants in oil spill response
Series number 840
DOI 10.1520/STP30246S
Year Published 1984
Language English
Publisher American Society for Testing and Materials
Publisher location Philadelphia, PA.
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 465
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Other Government Series
Larger Work Title Oil Spill Chemical Dispersants: Research, Experience, and Recommendations
First page 363
Last page 377
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