The potential for dispersant use as a maritime oil spill response measure in German waters.
Mar Pollut Bull
; 129(2): 623-632, 2018 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29102071
In case of an oil spill, dispersant application represents a response option, which enhances the natural dispersion of oil and thus reduces coating of seabirds and coastal areas. However, as oil is transferred to the water phase, a trade-off of potential harmful effects shifted to other compartments must be performed. This paper summarizes the results of a workshop on the current knowledge on risks and benefits of the use of dispersants with respect to specific conditions encountered at the German sea areas. The German North Sea coast is a sensitive ecosystem characterised by tidal flats, barrier islands and salt marshes. Many prerequisites for a potential integration of dispersants as spill response option are available in Germany, including sensitivity maps and tools for drift modelling of dispersed and undispersed oil. However, open scientific questions remain concerning the persistence of dispersed oil trapped in the sediments and potential health effects.
Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Surface-Active Agents
/
Water Pollutants, Chemical
/
Petroleum
/
Petroleum Pollution
/
Conservation of Water Resources
Type of study:
Guideline
/
Prognostic_studies
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Mar Pollut Bull
Year:
2018
Type:
Article