A proposal for improved oil spill monitoring of peripheral marine regions in the Baltic Sea by in-service aircraft

Author(s):  
C. von Viebahn ◽  
M. Gade
1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Klavs Bender ◽  
Preben Østfeldt ◽  
Hanne Bach

ABSTRACT In 1986 an oil and gas concession in the Baltic Sea was granted by the Danish Ministry of Energy to a group of oil companies, with Norsk Hydro as operator. A paper describing the goals achieved midway through the program was presented at the 1989 Oil Spill Conference in San Antonio, Texas. This paper presents the final results of the program. The chemical baseline study has shown that the only parameter that exhibits a marked variation is the total hydrocarbon content, where values are seven to eight times higher in the 1989 samples than in the 1987 and 1988 samples. It is suspected that the reason is seasonal variation, since the 1989 samples were collected in June, while the 1987 and 1988 samples were collected in September. Even though the total hydrocarbon content varies significantly between some of the sample suites, only biomarkers related to recent organic material or immature petroleum source rocks are present in the samples. Petrogenic hydrocarbons related to spilled crude oil or exploration activities were not found in the area. The spreading and weathering calculations revealed the zones along the coast where an oil spill was most likely to occur. The transport time for an oil spill to reach the coast was also calculated by the model. In combination with mapping of sensitive resources, the results from the model test runs were used in risk assessments. The information gained in this study was used in the oil spill contingency plan.


Baltica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (special) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kileso ◽  
Boris Chubarenko ◽  
Petras Zemlys ◽  
Igor Kuzmenko

The state-of-art in oil spill modelling methods is summarized, focusing on development since 2000. Some recommendations for possible application of these methods to the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea are prepared. Particular attention is paid on the methods of parameterization of volume of oil spill and calculation of advection of the oil spills. Consideration is also given to methods used in oil weathering models.


1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-230
Author(s):  
Klavs Bender ◽  
Preben Østfeldt ◽  
Poul Kronborg

ABSTRACT In 1986 an oil and gas concession in the Baltic Sea was granted by the Danish Ministry of Energy to a group of oil companies with Norsk Hydro as operator. In this connection, the company initiated a three-year research project in the area, covering the following subjects:The use and development of analytical methods for biomarkers, prior to any oil spill, to identify oil in marine sedimentsBaseline evaluation at 10 sediment stations within the concession area of certain defined heavy metals and hydrocarbonsSimulation of drift, spreading, and fate of oil slicks using advanced computer models calibrated for the Baltic Sea areaCoastal vulnerability mapping of resources and development of a computerized data base system for this information. This paper is a status report on the research, describing the goals achieved midway through the program.


1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
Caroline L. F. Webb

ABSTRACT The Schwedeneck-See oilfield is the first offshore exploration and production operation to be developed in German waters. Due to the close proximity to the shore of the two fixed and unmanned production platforms, there is a strong emphasis on protective and preventive measures against pollution damage to the heavily used beaches and nearshore waters. This paper reviews the important features of a sensitivity study and shoreline mapping project conducted as part of the contingency arrangements for coastal protection along 62 km of the Baltic Sea. “Sensitive areas” were identified according to coastal use, and areas of risk highlighted on the basis of oil spill trajectories. The main shore types were classified on a scale from 1 to 10 in terms of potential vulnerability to oil spill damage and anticipated difficulties for access and cleanup operations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-36
Author(s):  
Jonas Pålsson ◽  
Lawrence Hildebrand ◽  
Olof Lindén

ABSTRACT 2017-253 Few standardised frameworks are designed to assess the full range of oil spill preparedness activities, from plan development, implementation, equipment, training, exercises, and response sustainability. This paper analyses the international practice of oil spill preparedness measures and compares them to Swedish practice. Friedman’s test and Dunn’s post-test have been used to compare the RETOS™ evaluation scores of Finland, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Norway to Sweden. The United States is examined as an external reference. The RETOS™ programme is an Excel tool developed for the International Oil Spill Conference 2008. It is a guide for industry and governments to assess their level of oil spill response, planning, and preparedness management in relation to established criteria, and is intended for international best management practices. Swedish oil spill preparedness is shown to be comparable to the Baltic Sea regional practice. The Swedish RETOS™ evaluation score is 69%, compared to the average 73.1% of the examined countries. A statistical difference exists between Sweden and both Norway and the United States. Swedish oil spill preparedness is comparable to the Baltic Sea Region countries despite: not having a National Contingency Plan, not using the Tiered Preparedness and Response concept, nor having adopted an Incident Management System. This suggests that these concepts are not essential for a functioning preparedness regime, although Sweden instead has a system serving the same function. However, it also questions what effect implementing these concepts would have on Swedish preparedness.


Baltica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (special) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergej Suzdalev ◽  
Saulius Gulbinskas ◽  
Vadim Sivkov ◽  
Tatiana Bukanova

The Baltic Sea is facing exceptionally intensive marine traffic. Oil products in addition to other cargo types are being transported in this marine area. Therefore, the risk of potential oil pollution is very high. Although, the Baltic Sea has not experienced catastrophic oil spills, there have been spills causing serious environmental damage in the region. Construction of oil terminals and planned growth of Russian oil export through Baltic Sea ports along with the operation of large oil enterprises and oil drilling platforms make maritime safety a priority task for the Baltic Sea region. The publications collected in present Baltica Journal Special Issue set sights on the improvement of oil spill management in the South–Eastern Baltic Sea as well as stimulate the appearance of new transnational response agreements in the region.


1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Linden ◽  
A. Rosemarin ◽  
A. Lindskog ◽  
C. Hoglund ◽  
S. Johansson

ABSTRACT The effects of a North Sea oil with or without the addition of dispersant were studied in a model of the littoral ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. Experiments were carried out in six pools with a volume of 8 m3 each, with flowthrough seawater and an ecosystem of the shallow rocky Baltic archipelago. All major fauna and flora were transferred into the pools in normal numbers and proportions. Two of the pools were exposed to oil alone. The amount of oil was equivalent to 20 ppm assuming total mixture. Two other pools were exposed to the same amount of oil and an oil dispersant (Corexit 9550, Exxon), and two pools served as controls. The effects studied were those on abundance of heterotrophic bacteria, periphyton photosynthesis, growth of bladder wrack, phytoplankton growth, zooplankton abundance and diversity, benthic fauna, physiological responses of certain crustaceans and molluscs, and the growth of blue mussels. In addition, the total photosynthesis and respiration of the ecosystem was studied. Concentrations of oil in water and in blue mussels were monitored. The experiments showed that almost all the measured parameters were affected. When comparing the effects between the pools, several of the results indicated a stronger response for oil alone compared to oil and dispersant. This was particularly obvious when monitoring the total production and respiration of the ecosystems. The explanation may be that the ecosystems in the pools exposed to oil and dispersant were exposed less time compared to those in the pools where oil alone was added. The oil and dispersant mixture obviously left the system much faster due to the water exchange compared to the oil without dispersant. In the latter case the oil adhered to surfaces and detritus and thus tended to stay longer in the environment. These results may provide valuable information for decision makers faced with an oil spill in shallow waters and who have an option to use oil spill dispersant.


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