THE GULF WAR OIL SPILL TWELVE YEARS LATER: CONSEQUENCES OF ECO-TERRORISM

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 957-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Michel ◽  
Miles O. Hayes ◽  
Charles D. Getter ◽  
Linos Cotsapas
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gulf War ◽  
Tidal Flats ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Chemical Toxicity ◽  
Habitat Recovery ◽  
Intertidal Habitats ◽  
Ecological Recovery

ABSTRACT The intentional release of an estimated 11 million barrels of oil during the 1991 Gulf War was the largest oil spill in history. An assessment of the physical, chemical, and ecological impacts of this spill shows that, 12 years later, oil residues and habitat modifications continue to have toxic effects on intertidal communities. As of 2003, there are an estimated 8 million cubic meters of oiled sediment remaining along the 803 km of impacted shoreline in Saudi Arabia. Of this volume, 45% occurs in muddy tidal flats and 23% in salt marshes and mangroves. Much of the oil in these sheltered habitats occurs as oiled crab burrows, with liquid oil remaining in the burrows to depths that exceed 50 cm. These habitats show the lowest degree of ecological recovery since the spill, with 87% of the upper intertidal zones of mangroves and marshes and 71 % of muddy tidal flats having reduced species richness and a disturbed community structure. Those habitats exposed to the greatest amount of wave activity contain the smallest amount of residual oil; however, on outer sand beaches, the oil is commonly buried to depths exceeding 1 m. The factors that affect the ecological recovery of the intertidal habitats include: 1) The chemical toxicity of the oil residues; 2) the physical toxicity of heavy and hardened oil residues; 3) other physical barriers that affect seed germination of plants, settlement of larvae, and burrowing; 4) limited sources for recruitment of biota; 5) reduced hydrological functioning of tidal channels. This study shows the importance of oil removal as the first phase of habitat recovery. It also indicates the potential for large-scale damage by blatant acts of eco-terrorism.

Tidal Flat and Sand Beach Remediation: Choosing Remediation Techniques to Speed Ecological Recovery of Habitats Still Impacted 20 Years after the Gulf War Oil Spill

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 1719-1733
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Minter ◽  
Jason A. Hale ◽  
Christopher D. Cormack ◽  
Linos Cotsapas ◽  
Jacqueline Michel
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Gulf War ◽  
Tidal Flats ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Optimal Method ◽  
Sediment Loss ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Ecological Recovery

ABSTRACT After nearly 20 years of limited natural recovery following the Gulf War oil spill, surveys were conducted in 2009-2010 to identify where oil has persisted and ecological recovery has been slow along the Arabian Gulf coastline of Saudi Arabia. In 2011-2013, large-scale remediation projects were executed on 3 locations totaling 155 hectares of tidal flats and sand beaches to speed ecological recovery. Targeted remediation techniques were used as tools to meet the following goals: 1) increase suitable habitat for grazers and burrowing infauna; 2) reduce total petroleum hydrocarbon levels; and 3) improve physical processes (drainage) and reduce associated stressors such as ponding. Three principal techniques were developed and utilized along sheltered and moderately exposed tidal flats: 1) tilling of oiled sediments using tines (rake) or disc harrow attachment, followed by manual removal of remaining surface oil; 2) complete physical removal and disposal of the surface or cohesive subsurface oiling layers; and 3) tilling areas contained within berms while flooded to liberate liquid oil that was subsequently recovered by skimming/vacuuming. The first technique was considered appropriate when there was a well-defined gradient between hardened surface oiling and lightly oiled subsurface sediments, within sandy tidal flats, and where sediment conservation was a priority. This technique resulted in 20% additional oiled surface residue cover, which was removed manually. Resulting sediment loss was minimal. Goals 1, 2 and 3 were met. The second technique was preferred when there was a dry cohesive oiled layer either on the surface or beneath a layer of clean sand and where sediment conservation was not a priority. Excavation of oiled sediments resulted in high sediment loss by physical removal; however, goals 1 and 2 were clearly achieved. Additional re-grading including possible sediment replacement was required to achieve goal 3. The third technique was considered the optimal method when there was a high level of subsurface liquid oiling within tidal flats, and if sediment conservation was a priority. Goal 1 was achieved by breaking up surface barriers. To achieve goals 2 and 3, multiple tilling passes were required to liberate and remove liquid oil. Monitoring results show that while oil levels varied across remediated sites, a trend in reduction was common throughout. Short- and long-term ecological responses are being monitored.

Natural Recovery Of Salt Marshes From The 1991 Oil Spill On The Saudi Arabian Gulf Coast

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 869-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuck Getter ◽  
Jacqui Michel ◽  
Miles Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Saudi Arabian ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Response Effort ◽  
Natural Recovery ◽  
Key Species

ABSTRACT Our team completed a broad multidisciplinary survey in 2003 characterizing several thousand transects along 850 km of oil-impacted shoreline to determine the impacts of the 1991 oil spill on the Saudi Arabian Gulf from the western end of Abu Ali Island to the Kuwait border. Salt marshes and tidal flats there form a very significant portion of the oil-impacted coastline. These habitats were heavily oiled in 1991 and significant loss of biological communities was reported then. Although a large scale response effort followed the spill, the size of the spill overwhelmed it. The overwhelming majority of the spill site is remote and will likely receive little or no cleanup and/or restoration effort. After completing the survey, we conducted an ecological survey at two selected salt marsh transects using line-intercept and quadrat counts counting macrovegetation and intertidal macroepibenthos within one impacted (recovering) and one unoiled (comparison) transect. The objective of our paper is to present useful highlights regarding the nature of the recovery of intertidal macroepibenthos and the vegetation associated with salt marshes. A continuing impact to key species and their assemblages is documented and discussed. We conclude that while recovery has progressed from initial reports of significant damages in 1991–1993 the overall recovery of the salt marshes is far from complete. Some areas of considerable size and importance show little or no sign of recovery. In summary, the oil spill of 1991 was arguably the largest coastal spill in history. Long-term effects are widespread, appear to be profoundly large-scale, and in some cases salt marshes show little sign of natural recovery.

Using Foraminifera as Indicators of Habitat Recovery following Remediation of Sheltered Tidal Flats in Saudi Arabia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 300154
Author(s):  
Brant M. Priest ◽  
Jason A. Hale ◽  
Thomas G. Minter ◽  
Christopher D. Cormack ◽  
Ion Cotsapas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Tidal Flat ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Sediment Layer ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Natural Recovery ◽  
Salt Marsh Habitat ◽  
Habitat Recovery ◽  
Intertidal Habitats

After nearly 20 years of limited natural recovery of intertidal habitats along the Gulf Coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, large-scale remediation projects were conducted on approximately 1800 ha of tidal flat and salt marsh habitat. In Fall, 2011, multiple passes of mechanical tilling were used to break up oiled cohesive sediment layer across a heavily degraded sand tidal flat, to reduce subsurface liquid oil, and accelerate natural recovery. Rates and degrees of test deformities in three foram genera were measured from samples collected at degraded and healthy sand tidal flat sites. Dominant genera and rates of test deformity at a heavily oiled sand tidal flat (average surface and subsurface total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) = 10,000 ppm ) were: Peneroplis (41.0%), Ammonia (38.7%), Elphidium (54.7%). Rates of deformity in the same three genera collected at a healthy sand tidal flat habitat were: Peneroplis (11.8%), Ammonia (7.5%), Elphidium (13.9%). Nearly two years after the remediation event, results indicate a decreasing trend in percent foram deformities at the remediation site, which suggests oil toxicity as an ecological stressor has decreased as a result of remediation activities.

SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA TO OPTIMIZE OIL SPILL CLEANUP

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 595-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sell ◽  
Lucy Conway ◽  
Tracy Clark ◽  
Gordon B. Picken ◽  
Jenifer M. Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Rocky Shores ◽  
Industrial Services ◽  
Expected Time ◽  
Natural Time ◽  
Oil Spill Cleanup ◽  
Ecological Recovery

ABSTRACT Aberdeen University Research and Industrial Services (AURIS) undertook a joint industry pilot investigation on “Scientific Criteria for Optimizing Oil Spill Cleanup Operations and Effort” from October 1993 to March 1994. This project examined the worldwide scientific literature on the effects of oil spills, and experimental and natural clearances, on both rocky shores and salt marshes, to ascertain whether defensible scientific criteria could be used to establish the appropriate end point for oil spill cleanup operations. After exhaustive screening of the literature, the investigation found that ecological recovery of shore biota usually follows natural time scales of up to three years for rocky shores and five years for salt marshes, regardless of cleanup. Cleanup has a negative or marginal influence on these time scales, so there is little scientific justification for shore treatment. It may be justified, however, by socioeconomic factors relating to recreation, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, visual amenity, or birds and mammals. In exceptional cases, where oil has formed heavy smothering deposits or toxic subsurface deposits, there are grounds for treatment to promote ecological recovery of the shore biota within the expected time scales.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Triploid Oysters as a Tool to assess Short- and Long-term Seafood Contamination of Oil Spill-impacted Areas

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 1958-1971
Author(s):  
M. Scott Miles ◽  
Ronald F. Malone ◽  
John E. Supan
Keyword(s):  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Deepwater Horizon ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Chemical Spills ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
South Louisiana

ABSTRACT The objective of this field and laboratory study was to evaluate the use of triploid Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, as a bioindicator of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in oil spill-impacted areas. Bivalve mollusks have shown to be valuable tools for assessing the short-term (weeks to months) bioavailability and impact of hydrophobic contaminants following oil and chemical spills. Approximately 1-year after the initial Deepwater Horizon spill, PAH concentrations were measured in sediment and caged oysters at sites within the Northern Barataria Bay. Two (2) seven-week large-scale mesocosm studies were conducted with diploid and triploid oysters to assess the effects of multiple whole South Louisiana crude (SLC) oil concentrations and seasonal water temperature variation on the PAH bioaccumulation and depuration rates within the test populations. Tissue analyses from the mesocosm study showed that PAH concentrations were generally higher and less variable in triploids than diploids. The studies showed that triploid Crassostrea virginica can be an appropriate organism to serve as a bioindicator of PAH contamination as they are abundant, stationary filter-feeders that provide ample tissue for analysis, and accumulate PAHs in response to contamination. Although diploid oysters are more representative of ecological impacts, triploid oysters are the only ploidy to have the capability to accurately assess oil and chemical spill impacts during oyster breeding season.

An HPC Framework for Large Scale Simulations and Visualizations of Oil Spill Trajectories

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Tao ◽  
Werner Benger ◽  
Kelin Hu ◽  
Edwin Mathews ◽  
Marcel Ritter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Scale Simulations

Towards Control of an Estuary

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 155-174
Author(s):  
Henk L. F. Saeijs
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Storm Surge ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Intertidal Flats ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Short Time

The Delta Project is in its final stage. In 1974 it was subjected to political reconsideration, but it is scheduled now for completion in 1987. The final touches are being put to the storm-surge barrier and two compartment dams that divide the Oosterschelde into three areas: one tidal, one with reduced tide, and one a freshwater lake. Compartmentalization will result in 13% of channels, 45% of intertidal flats and 59% of salt marshes being lost. There is a net gain of 7% of shallow-water areas. Human interventions with large scale impacts are not new in the Oosterschelde but the large scale and short time in which these interventions are taking place are, as is the creation of a controlled tidal system. This article focusses on the area with reduced tide and compares resent day and expected characteristics. In this reduced tidal part salt marshes will extend by 30–70%; intertidal flats will erode to a lower level and at their edges, and the area of shallow water will increase by 47%. Biomass production on the intertidal flats will decrease, with consequences for crustaceans, fishes and birds. The maximum number of waders counted on one day and the number of ‘bird-days' will decrease drastically, with negative effects for the wader populations of western Europe. The net area with a hard substratum in the reduced tidal part has more than doubled. Channels will become shallower. Detritus import will not change significantly. Stratification and oxygen depletion will be rare and local. The operation of the storm-surge barrier and the closure strategy chosen are very important for the ecosystem. Two optional closure strategies can be followed without any additional environmental consequences. It was essential to determine a clearly defined plan of action for the whole area, and to make land-use choices from the outset. How this was done is briefly described.

An assessment of toxic metals content in the marine sediments of the Shuaiba Industrial Area, Kuwait, after the oil spill during the Gulf War

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 203-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Al-Muzaini ◽  
P. G. Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Marine Sediment ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Gulf War ◽  
Oil Wells ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Very High

A field study was carried out involving seven fixed sampling stations. The sampling locations were selected to cover the distribution of pollutants in the Shuaiba Industrial Area (SIA), which was contaminated with oil released from oil wells and broken pipelines and with a vast amount of burnt and unburnt crude oil from the burning and gushing oil wells. The samples were collected biweekly between July 1993 and July 1994. The concentrations of V, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb were determined and compared with the previously collected baseline data to assess the degree of environmental damage caused due to the oil spills during the Gulf war. The average concentrations (mg/kg) of various elements in the marine sediment were 17.3 for V, 30.8 for Ni, 55.5 for Cr, 0.02 for Cd and 1.95 for Pb. Our results show that even after the heavy spillage of oil, associated metal concentrations were not very high compared with previously reported base line values.

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