“HOW CLEAN IS CLEAN” – PROPOSED METHOD FOR DETERMINING ENDPOINTS AND EVALUATING RESULTS OF OIL SPILL CLEAN UP OPERATIONS

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 925-930
Author(s):  
Jonas Fejes ◽  
Charlotte Lindgren ◽  
Christina Arbjörk
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Ecological Effects ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Ecological Sensitivity ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Oil Type

ABSTRACT Determining endpoint in clean up operations after oil spill is considered a necessary action to appoint appropriate methods, equipment and levels of clean up. Today international standards to assist decision making in these questions are not commonly spread. In this article a first step for developing guidelines for determining endpoints is presented. The proposed method considers four parameters; quantity of oil, type of oil, ecological sensitivity and time of year. In different combinations the parameters give criteria for when clean up should be ended as further actions might cause more harms than benefits. The method focuses on environmental aspects and therefore mainly ecological effects are considered.

A REVIEW OF EXPERIMENTAL SHORELINE OIL SPILLS

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 583-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Baker ◽  
D. I. Little ◽  
E. H. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Toxicity Testing ◽  
Ecological Effects ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Shoreline Protection ◽  
Oil Type

ABSTRACT Oil spill research and development has involved a large number of experiments to evaluate the effectiveness and the effects of marine shoreline protection and cleanup techniques. Considerable knowledge has accumulated from laboratory and wave tank studies, and there have also been a number of field experiments, in which oil was intentionally spilled on shorelines under controlled conditions. This review summarizes those field experiments, which are grouped in five major habitat types: rocky intertidal, cobble/pebble/gravel, sand/mud, saltmarshes, and mangroves/seagrasses. Tables included in the paper itemize the oil type and volume, location and substrate character, number and size of plots, response techniques tested, and referenced publications. This information is then used to combine understanding of the effectiveness of cleanup with understanding of the ecological effects of cleanup methods, compared with those of untreated oil. It is very difficult to achieve this type of information and understanding from toxicity testing or from spills of opportunity.

Effective Planning for Dispersant Operations – Making Decisions, Analyzing Options and Establishing Capability

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 2791-2810
Author(s):  
Thomas Coolbaugh ◽  
Andy Nicoll ◽  
Aaron Montgomery ◽  
Geeva Varghese ◽  
Lucy Heathcote
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Dispersant Effectiveness ◽  
Oil Type

ABSTRACT Within the oil spill response community, dispersant use is considered to be a key tool for the treatment and mitigation of oil spills. As a response technique, the benefits of dispersant application have been long proven, particularly in the case of large offshore spills such as those associated with the Sea Empress (UK, 1996), Montara (Australia, 2009) and Macondo (USA, 2010) incidents. Compared to other spill response techniques, dispersant application has less operational constraints associated with adverse weather conditions and can be rapidly applied from an aerial platform for larger spills far offshore. These reasons render dispersant application a critical tool in the toolbox for many offshore operators. Developing a successful dispersant application strategy requires comprehensive planning. For an offshore operator with a subsea well blowout risk, a number of elements should be carefully considered to ensure the successful execution of the dispersant application strategy. The decision making process should include a detailed evaluation of the oil type, release scenario and location, and the consideration of these parameters against the larger environmental and socio-economic needs of the stakeholder community. Once dispersant application is established to be a viable response option using a process such as Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA), the operator also needs to ensure that it is adequately resourced in terms of application platforms (vessel vs aircraft), monitoring techniques and supporting logistics. Well planned and detailed operational strategies are critical for successful subsea and surface dispersant operations, especially in the unlikely event of a large offshore spill. This paper summarizes the various operational considerations an offshore operator needs to assess during the preparedness stage for developing a viable dispersant application strategy. Drawing on the authors’ experiences in developing and implementing various preparedness projects globally, the different aspects of the dispersant planning process, including oil spill modelling to support decision making, ascertaining dispersant effectiveness for the oil type, selecting appropriate application techniques, establishing necessary logistical support and the setting up of an incident management team to support dispersant operations, will be discussed in detail. The goal of the paper is to build upon prior dispersant strategy discussions and provide an operationally focused blueprint for planning and implementing an effective dispersant application strategy in support of offshore operations.

scholarly journals Ranking Environmental Aspects of Sustainable Tourism: Case of Selected European Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5701
Author(s):  
Tihana Škrinjarić
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Multiple Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Grey Systems Theory ◽  
Insightful Analysis ◽  
Critical Overview

The tourism industry is one of the fastest-growing industries today, and it is important to obtain insights into its good and bad practices. This will provide policymakers with as much information as possible to tailor specific policies to facilitate tourism and economic growth. The main purpose of this paper is a critical overview of the related research on the topic of evaluating sustainable tourism in European countries and extensive empirical research on achieving sustainable tourism. This research includes Grey Systems Theory (GST) as the main tool in evaluating the efficiency of sustainable tourism. Robustness checking is done via the multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) approach. Although the literature on tourism efficiency is vast, there is a smaller amount of research related to the approach taken in this paper. Thus, a comprehensive and insightful analysis will be done so that relevant and timely information can be obtained for the future decision-making process. Furthermore, a dynamic analysis will be provided so that changes in time can be observed and a detailed analysis can be made.

scholarly journals Variation in LOD Across SARS-CoV-2 Assay Systems: Need for Standardization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youvraj Sohni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Testing ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Technology Platforms

Abstract Multiple SARS-CoV-2 emergency use authorization (EUA) tests are being used for clinical testing across various clinical testing laboratories for meeting the diagnostic challenges of the ongoing pandemic. However, cross-assay variations in performance characteristics need to be recognized. A better understanding is needed of the clinical implications of cross-assay variation in performance characteristics, particularly in the limit of detection (LOD) of the SARS-CoV-2 assays used for clinical testing. Herein, a snapshot of the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 EUA analytical assay systems including methodologies, assay designs, and technology platforms is presented. Factors affecting the variations in LOD are discussed. Potential measures that may standardize across the various assay systems are suggested. Development of international standards and reference materials for the establishment of performance characteristics may substantially alleviate potential clinical decision-making challenges. Finally, cross-assay variation in LODs among the diverse SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic assays impacts clinical decision-making with multiple assay systems in use and lack of standardization across platforms. International standards in parallel with continued cross-platform studies and collaborative efforts across pertinent healthcare entities will help mitigate some of the clinical decision-making challenges.

scholarly journals Lessons from the Twin Mega-Crises: The Financial Meltdown and the BP Oil Spill

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hershey H. Friedman ◽  
Linda W. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Business And Society ◽  
Bp Oil Spill ◽  
Twin Crises ◽  
Excessive Risk

This paper explores the synchronicity of two mega-crises we are now facing: The BP oil spill and the repercussions of the 2008 financial meltdown. It examines some key common threads in both of these crises. The overarching message is that firms must maintain a culture of social responsibility, must behave in an ethical manner, and must do everything possible to avoid societal harm. The three key lessons to be learned from the twin crises are to consider and mange risk in decision making; minimize conflicts of interest in the hope that executives will then not engage in actions that involve excessive risk to stakeholders; and that government regulation can be beneficial, rather than harmful to business and society – as long as it does not stifle innovation and growth.

scholarly journals Embedding Computer Vision in Citizen Science

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom August ◽  
J Terry ◽  
David Roy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Computer Vision ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Time Of Year

The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods has presented new opportunities for those who work with biodiversity data. Computer vision, in particular where computers can be trained to identify species in digital photographs, has significant potential to address a number of existing challenges in citizen science. The Biological Records Centre (www.brc.ac.uk) has been a central focus for terrestrial and freshwater citizen science in the United Kingdom for over 50 years. We will present our research on how computer vision can be embedded in citizen science, addressing three important questions. How can contextual information, such as time of year, be included in computer vision? A naturalist will use a wealth of ecological knowledge about species in combination with information about where and when the image was taken to augment their decision making; we should emulate this in our AI. How can citizen scientists be best supported by computer vision? Our ambition is not to replace identification skills with AI but to use AI to support the learning process. How can computer vision support our limited resource of expert verifiers as data volumes increase? We receive more and more data each year, which puts a greater demand on our expert verifiers, who review all records to ensure data quality. We have been exploring how computer vision can lighten this workload. How can contextual information, such as time of year, be included in computer vision? A naturalist will use a wealth of ecological knowledge about species in combination with information about where and when the image was taken to augment their decision making; we should emulate this in our AI. How can citizen scientists be best supported by computer vision? Our ambition is not to replace identification skills with AI but to use AI to support the learning process. How can computer vision support our limited resource of expert verifiers as data volumes increase? We receive more and more data each year, which puts a greater demand on our expert verifiers, who review all records to ensure data quality. We have been exploring how computer vision can lighten this workload. We will present work that addresses these questions including: developing machine learning techniques that incorporate ecological information as well as images to arrive at a species classification; co-designing an identification tool to help farmers identify flowers beneficial to wildlife; and assessing the optimal combination of computer vision and expert verification to improve our verification systems.

Sustainable Concretes – Through Reducing the Water Absorptivity to Improved Durability

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Róbert Figmig ◽  
Adriana Eštoková ◽  
Michaela Smoláková
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Mix Design ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Depth Of Penetration ◽  
Concrete Material ◽  
Chemical Attack ◽  
Binder Ratio ◽  
Maximum Water ◽  
Cast Products

Water absorptivity (WA) is one of the crucial parameters affecting the penetration of aggressive ions when concrete material is exposed to an aggressive environment and is closely linked with a depth of penetration of water under pressure into the concrete. Concrete used for prefabricated elements and structures as cesspits, manholes, pipe lines or parts of the wastewater treatment plants, has to meet a requirement for maximum water absorptivity of 6.0 wt. % in accordance with national and international standards. The article deals with a study of concretes’ water absorptivity of the pre-cast products for environmental purpose, where the exposure class XA (chemical attack) is required. The research is focused on reducing WA by using various modification of standard mix design (Portland cement, water, fine and coarse aggregate, plasticizer), e.g. by using different cement types, cementous supplementary additives, admixtures, finest aggregate particles or by reducing water/binder ratio. The concretes of various mix design modifications were compared with a reference concrete in relation to the standard. The economical and environmental aspects were also taken into consideration.

Development of shared decision-making resources to help inform difficult healthcare decisions: An example focused on dysvascular partial foot and transtibial amputations

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Quigley ◽  
Michael P Dillon ◽  
Stefania Fatone
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Decision Aids ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Patient Decision ◽  
Partial Foot Amputation

Background: Shared decision making is a consultative process designed to encourage patient participation in decision making by providing accurate information about the treatment options and supporting deliberation with the clinicians about treatment options. The process can be supported by resources such as decision aids and discussion guides designed to inform and facilitate often difficult conversations. As this process increases in use, there is opportunity to raise awareness of shared decision making and the international standards used to guide the development of quality resources for use in areas of prosthetic/orthotic care. Objectives: To describe the process used to develop shared decision-making resources, using an illustrative example focused on decisions about the level of dysvascular partial foot amputation or transtibial amputation. Development process: The International Patient Decision Aid Standards were used to guide the development of the decision aid and discussion guide focused on decisions about the level of dysvascular partial foot amputation or transtibial amputation. Examples from these shared decision-making resources help illuminate the stages of development including scoping and design, research synthesis, iterative development of a prototype, and preliminary testing with patients and clinicians not involved in the development process. Conclusion: Lessons learnt through the process, such as using the International Patient Decision Aid Standards checklist and development guidelines, may help inform others wanting to develop similar shared decision-making resources given the applicability of shared decision making to many areas of prosthetic-/orthotic-related practice. Clinical relevance Shared decision making is a process designed to guide conversations that help patients make an informed decision about their healthcare. Raising awareness of shared decision making and the international standards for development of high-quality decision aids and discussion guides is important as the approach is introduced in prosthetic-/orthotic-related practice.

Arbitration in Yemen

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-333
Author(s):  
Jens Kambeck
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Human Development Index ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Court System ◽  
Legal Certainty ◽  
Legal Decision ◽  
Legal Decisions ◽  
Legal Decision Making

AbstractThe Human Development Index (HDI, 2005) ranked Yemen 151st out of 177 countries. Although it is one of the poorest countries in world, the population of 21.4 million people is the highest in all Arab countries and it is expected to double within the next 20 years. This makes it an interesting and growing market—and one in which international companies are presently investigating opportunities. The Yemeni legal system, although having improved in recent years, is still not capable of making and executing fair legal decisions, by international standards. In this environment, national and international trade requires alternatives for legal decision-making. In response to this, two arbitration centres are currently operating in Yemen and offer businesspeople an alternative to court based adjudication. As Yemen attempts to become a member of the WTO and tries to create a investment-friendly atmosphere, arbitration can be a very important alternative for providing legal certainty as the court system continues to develop towards international standards.

OIL SPILL RESPONSE ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT—BOHAI SEA—CHINA

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 905-908
Author(s):  
Mark Boben ◽  
Liu Yuheng
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Bohai Sea ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
The Bohai Sea ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Response Organization ◽  
Offshore Oil

ABSTRACT Oil spill response along the coast of China has been recognized as an important issue by the Chinese government. The Bohai Sea in particular, is an area of high oil exploration and production activity, with offshore developments comprising platforms and FPSO's (floating, production, storage and off-loading) together with associated vessels and pipelines. Major shipping lanes from the East China Sea into China also pass through the offshore oil fields. For the oil companies operating in the area, the prospect of an accidental oil spill is a concern from both a domestic and international perspective. In 2000, the companies involved in upstream activities in the Bohai Sea began discussions with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to develop an oil spill response capability. Led by ConocoPhillips, the international oil companies worked with CNOOC to build a framework for developing an oil spill response organization (OSRO) to provide appropriate services within the Bohai Sea. The key tenet for this OSRO, was to be able to perform to international standards. In 2002, the CNOOC executive management, through its subsidiary, Bohai Corporation(COOBC) committed to establishing a commercial oil spill response organization, Bohai Environmental Services Ltd. (BES). The BES remit is focused on the Bohai Sea, but with the eventual goal of providing response services along the wider China coastal region and eventually fulfilling a longer term vision of expanding into the international market. This Paper describes the standards required by the international oil companies and how BES was conceived and organized to meet them.

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