OSRI Research on Arctic Oil Spill Topics

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 299066
Author(s):  
W. Scott Pegau
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Research Education ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mutual Interest ◽  
Research Plan ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Detection Technologies

The Oil Spill Recovery Institute funds research, education, and demonstration projects designed to respond to, and understand the effects of, oil spills in the Arctic and sub-Arctic marine environment. Funding is guided by a research plan that includes goals of Understanding, Responding, Informing, and Partnering. Several projects have been supported over the past few years related to oil spills in the Arctic. These efforts include development of remote sensing technologies, mechanical clean up methods, understanding of the biodegradation potential, and support of workshops and guidelines. This poster provides a brief description of work supported in the past. We also want to examine priorities for funding in the future. The primary areas of interest are detection technologies and improving spill response in the ice environment. We are seeking input on topics of importance for OSRI funding and potential partners for supporting projects of mutual interest.

scholarly journals Quantifying the consequence of applying conservative assumptions in the assessment of oil spill effects on polar cod (Boreogadus saida) populations

Polar Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-586
Author(s):  
Pepijn De Vries ◽  
Jacqueline Tamis ◽  
Jasmine Nahrgang ◽  
Marianne Frantzen ◽  
Robbert Jak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Threshold Concentration ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Cod ◽  
Boreogadus Saida ◽  
Precautionary Approach ◽  
Recovery Duration ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn order to assess the potential impact from oil spills and decide the optimal response actions, prediction of population level effects of key resources is crucial. These assessments are usually based on acute toxicity data combined with precautionary assumptions because chronic data are often lacking. To better understand the consequences of applying precautionary approaches, two approaches for assessing population level effects on the Arctic keystone species polar cod (Boreogadus saida) were compared: a precautionary approach, where all exposed individuals die when exposed above a defined threshold concentration, and a refined (full-dose-response) approach. A matrix model was used to assess the population recovery duration of scenarios with various but constant exposure concentrations, durations and temperatures. The difference between the two approaches was largest for exposures with relatively low concentrations and short durations. Here, the recovery duration for the refined approach was less than eight times that found for the precautionary approach. Quantifying these differences helps to understand the consequences of precautionary assumptions applied to environmental risk assessment used in oil spill response decision making and it can feed into the discussion about the need for more chronic toxicity testing. An elasticity analysis of our model identified embryo and larval survival as crucial processes in the life cycle of polar cod and the impact assessment of oil spills on its population.

scholarly journals OIL SPILL LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION (“SUPERFUND”)

1977 ◽  
Vol 1977 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Status ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Adequate Coverage ◽  
Legislative Changes ◽  
Double Coverage ◽  
Compensation Law

ABSTRACT The subjects under consideration are the liability imposed upon shippers, producers, refiners, and other handlers of oil, and the compensation monies available to persons damaged from oil spills. The liability and compensation system in existence today is one that provides little or no coverage in some instances, adequate coverage in some instances, and double coverage in still other instances. It has been correctly described as a “patchwork.” In the past three years, concerted efforts have been made by industry, government, and environmentalists to legislate improvements to the system. An attempt to enact a comprehensive oil spill liability and compensation law made substantial progress in the last Congress. This paper reviews the system as it now exists, the problems caused by the existing system, the proposed legislative changes, and the status of the legislation today.

Integrated analysis of remote sensing and numerical oil drift simulations for improved oil spill preparedness capabilities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Brekke ◽  
Martine Espeseth ◽  
Knut-Frode Dagestad ◽  
Johannes Röhrs ◽  
Lars Hole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Soybean Oil ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Oil Emulsion ◽  
Detection Capabilities

<p><strong>Integrated analysis of remote sensing and numerical oil drift simulations for </strong><strong>improved </strong><strong>oil spill preparedness capabilities</strong></p><p>Camilla Brekke<sup>1</sup>, Martine M. Espeseth<sup>1</sup>, Knut-Frode Dagestad<sup>2</sup>, Johannes Röhrs<sup>2</sup>, Lars Robert Hole<sup>2</sup>, and Andreas Reigber<sup>3</sup></p><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup>UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway</p><p><sup>2</sup>The Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo, Norway</p><p><sup>3</sup>DLR, Microwaves and Radar Institute, Oberpfaffenhofen-Weßling, Germany</p><p> </p><p>We present results from a successfully conducted free-floating oil spill field experiment followed by an integrated analysis of remotely sensed data and drift simulations. The experiment took place in the North Sea in the summer of 2019 during Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies’ annual oil-on-water exercise. Two types of oils were applied: a mineral oil emulsion and a soybean oil emulsion. The dataset collected contains a collection of close-in-time radar (aircraft and space-borne) and optical data (aircraft, aerostat, and drone) acquisitions of the slicks. We compare oil drift simulations, applying various configurations of wind, wave, and current information, with observed slick positions and shape. We describe trajectories and dynamics of the spills, slick extent, and their evolution, and the differences in detection capabilities in optical instruments versus multifrequency quad-polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery acquired by DLRs large-scale airborne SAR facility (F-SAR). When using the best available forcing from in situ data and forecast models, good agreement with the observed position and extent are found in this study. The appearance in the optical images and the SAR time series from F-SAR were found to be different between the soybean and mineral oil types. Differences in mineral oil detection capabilities are found between SAR and optical imagery of thinner sheen regions. From a drifting perspective, the biological oil emulsions could replace the viscous similar mineral oil emulsion in future oil spill preparedness campaigns. However, from a remote sensing and wildlife perspective, the two oils have different properties. Depending on the practical application, further investigation on how the soybean oil impact the seabirds must be conducted in order to recommend the soybean oil as a viable substitute for mineral oil.</p><p> </p><p>This study is published as open access in Journalof Geophysical Research: Oceans[1], and we encourage the audience to read this article for detailed acquaintance with the work.</p><p> </p><p>Reference:</p><p>[1]Brekke, C., Espeseth, M. M., Dagestad, K.-F., Röhrs, J., Hole, L. R., & Reigber,A. (2021). Integrated analysis of multisensor datasets and oil driftsimulations—a free-floating oil experiment in the open ocean. Journalof Geophysical Research: Oceans, 126, e2020JC016499. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC016499</p>

scholarly journals Oil spill remote monitoring by using remotely piloted aircraft

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-653
Author(s):  
Aleksandrs Urbahs ◽  
Vladislavs Zavtkevics
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Multispectral Imaging ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Thickness Measurement ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the application of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) for remote oil spill sensing. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an analysis of RPA strong points. Findings To increase the accuracy and eliminate potentially false contamination detection, which can be caused by external factors, an oil thickness measurement algorithm is used with the help of the multispectral imaging that provides high accuracy and is versatile for any areas of water and various meteorological and atmospheric conditions. Research limitations/implications SWOT analysis of implementation of RPA for remote sensing of oil spills. Practical implications The use of RPA will improve the remote sensing of oil spills. Social implications The concept of oil spills monitoring needs to be developed for quality data collection, oil pollution control and emergency response. Originality/value The research covers the development of a method and design of a device intended for taking samples and determining the presence of oil contamination in an aquatorium area; the procedure includes taking a sample from the water surface, preparing it for transportation and delivering the sample to a designated location by using the RPA. The objective is to carry out the analysis of remote oil spill sensing using RPA. The RPA provides a reliable sensing of oil pollution with significant advantages over other existing methods. The objective is to analyze the use of RPA employing all of their strong points. In this paper, technical aspects of sensors are analyzed, as well as their advantages and limitations.

Task Force on Oil Spill Preparedness: A Canadian On-Shore Evaluation

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne O. Wiebe ◽  
Paul Wotherspoon
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Oil Pipelines ◽  
Overall Evaluation ◽  
Offshore Activities

ABSTRACT The oil industry's ability to effectively contain and clean up oil spills has been questioned over the years, and recent events have heightened this concern. Growing public interest and efforts by the upstream oil industry in Canada to assess its operations resulted in formation of the Task Force on Oil Spill Preparedness. The study was sponsored by the Canadian Petroleum Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of Canada, which represent most companies in the upstream industry. The overall evaluation concentrates on both onshore and offshore activities, but this paper discusses only the onshore segment. In the past 40 years the industry has made substantial efforts to prevent oil spills. As a result, Canada has experienced no catastrophic oil spills in operating about 40,000 producing wells and 37,000 km of oil pipelines. In spite of these efforts, the industry believes there is room for improvement. The study recommends allocating more resources to improving equipment, training on-site personnel, establishing better communications within companies and between companies and regulatory agencies, and continuing research in oil spill countermeasures. These recommendations are being incorporated in the existing framework to improve the response capability of the upstream oil industry.

25 years of collaboration: the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force 1989–2014

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-62
Author(s):  
Sarah Brace
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Regulatory Oversight ◽  
Task Force Member ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Pacific

ABSTRACT Two significant west coast spill incidents, the barge Nestucca spill in B.C. in 1988 and the tanker Exxon Valdez spill of 1989 catalyzed the formal creation of the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force, a union of Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Hawaii joined 12 years later and for the past 25 years the Task Force member organizations have collaborated on numerous projects and policy initiatives that have significantly influenced how the west coast prevents, prepares for and responds to oil spills. This paper will: 1) Provide an overview of how the Task Force functions and how it fosters collaboration between industry, agencies, and other stakeholders in the region; 2) Highlight key projects and accomplishments from the past two decades, including Transboundary coordination, vessel traffic risk studies, mutual aid agreements, and federal regulatory oversight; and how these projects were initiated and carried out; 3) Offer examples of how the Task Force is looking at challenges ahead, such as the shifting landscape of energy transportation and emerging fuels in the region, and what this means for spill prevention and response.

Contrasting changes in surface waters and barrens over the past 60 years for a subarctic forest–tundra site in northern Manitoba based on remote sensing imagery

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 967-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Umbanhowar ◽  
Philip Camill ◽  
Mark Edlund ◽  
Christoph Geiss ◽  
Wesley Durham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Remote Sensing Imagery ◽  
The Past ◽  
High Resolution Satellite Images ◽  
Wide Range

Intensified warming in the Arctic and Subarctic is resulting in a wide range of changes in the extent, productivity, and composition of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Analysis of remote sensing imagery has documented regional changes in the number and area of ponds and lakes as well as expanding cover of shrubs and small trees in uplands. To better understand long-term changes across the edaphic gradient, we compared the number and area of water bodies and dry barrens (>100 m2) between 1956 (aerial photographs) and 2008–2011 (high-resolution satellite images) for eight ∼25 km2 sites near Nejanilini Lake, Manitoba (59.559°N, 97.715°W). In the modern landscape, the number of water bodies and barrens were similar (1162 versus 1297, respectively), but water bodies were larger (mean 3.1 × 104 versus 681 m2, respectively) and represented 17% of surface area compared with 0.4% for barrens. Over the past 60 years, total surface area of water did not change significantly (16.7%–17.1%) despite a ∼30% decrease in numbers of small (<1000 m2) water bodies. However, the number and area of barrens decreased (55% and 67%, respectively) across all size classes. These changes are consistent with Arctic greening in response to increasing temperature and precipitation. Loss of small water bodies suggests that wet tundra areas may be drying, which, if true, may have important implications for carbon balance. Our observations may be the result of changes in winter conditions in combination with low permafrost ice content in the region, in part explaining regional variations in responses to climate change.

scholarly journals Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Detection of Marine Oil Spills Using an Adaptive Long-Term Moment Estimation Optimizer

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Zongchen Jiang ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Yi Ma ◽  
Xingpeng Mao
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Heavy Oils ◽  
Marine Oil ◽  
Oil Spill Detection ◽  
Moment Estimation ◽  
Marine Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Films

Marine oil spills can damage marine ecosystems, economic development, and human health. It is important to accurately identify the type of oil spills and detect the thickness of oil films on the sea surface to obtain the amount of oil spill for on-site emergency responses and scientific decision-making. Optical remote sensing is an important method for marine oil-spill detection and identification. In this study, hyperspectral images of five types of oil spills were obtained using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). To address the poor spectral separability between different types of light oils and weak spectral differences in heavy oils with different thicknesses, we propose the adaptive long-term moment estimation (ALTME) optimizer, which cumulatively learns the spectral characteristics and then builds a marine oil-spill detection model based on a one-dimensional convolutional neural network. The results of the detection experiment show that the ALTME optimizer can store in memory multiple batches of long-term oil-spill spectral information, accurately identify the type of oil spills, and detect different thicknesses of oil films. The overall detection accuracy is larger than 98.09%, and the Kappa coefficient is larger than 0.970. The F1-score for the recognition of light-oil types is larger than 0.971, and the F1-score for detecting films of heavy oils with different film thicknesses is larger than 0.980. The proposed optimizer also performs well on a public hyperspectral dataset. We further carried out a feasibility study on oil-spill detection using UAV thermal infrared remote sensing technology, and the results show its potential for oil-spill detection in strong sunlight.

scholarly journals Advances in Remote Sensing Technology, Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Marine Oil Spill Detection, Prediction and Vulnerability Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3416
Author(s):  
Shamsudeen Temitope Yekeen ◽  
Abdul-Lateef Balogun
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Biogenic Elements ◽  
Trajectory Prediction ◽  
Oil Spill Detection ◽  
Remote Sensing Technology ◽  
Sensing Technology

Although advancements in remote sensing technology have facilitated quick capture and identification of the source and location of oil spills in water bodies, the presence of other biogenic elements (lookalikes) with similar visual attributes hinder rapid detection and prompt decision making for emergency response. To date, different methods have been applied to distinguish oil spills from lookalikes with limited success. In addition, accurately modeling the trajectory of oil spills remains a challenge. Thus, we aim to provide further insights on the multi-faceted problem by undertaking a holistic review of past and current approaches to marine oil spill disaster reduction as well as explore the potentials of emerging digital trends in minimizing oil spill hazards. The scope of previous reviews is extended by covering the inter-related dimensions of detection, discrimination, and trajectory prediction of oil spills for vulnerability assessment. Findings show that both optical and microwave airborne and satellite remote sensors are used for oil spill monitoring with microwave sensors being more widely used due to their ability to operate under any weather condition. However, the accuracy of both sensors is affected by the presence of biogenic elements, leading to false positive depiction of oil spills. Statistical image segmentation has been widely used to discriminate lookalikes from oil spills with varying levels of accuracy but the emergence of digitalization technologies in the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0) is enabling the use of Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models, which are more promising than the statistical methods. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) are the most used machine learning algorithms for oil spill detection, although the restriction of ML models to feed forward image classification without support for the end-to-end trainable framework limits its accuracy. On the other hand, deep learning models’ strong feature extraction and autonomous learning capability enhance their detection accuracy. Also, mathematical models based on lagrangian method have improved oil spill trajectory prediction with higher real time accuracy than the conventional worst case, average and survey-based approaches. However, these newer models are unable to quantify oil droplets and uncertainty in vulnerability prediction. Considering that there is yet no single best remote sensing technique for unambiguous detection and discrimination of oil spills and lookalikes, it is imperative to advance research in the field in order to improve existing technology and develop specialized sensors for accurate oil spill detection and enhanced classification, leveraging emerging geospatial computer vision initiatives.

VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS: A TILE IN THE MOSAIC OF THE NATIONAL RESPONSE SYSTEM1

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 926-926
Author(s):  
Duane Michael Smith
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
The Past ◽  
Response System ◽  
National Response ◽  
Vessel Response ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT With the implementation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 came the requirement for vessels to develop plans for responding to oil spills from their vessels. While some companies had such plans in the past, the National Response System did not formally recognize their existence. Individual vessel response plans must now be viewed as an integral part of the National Response System. All of the parties that could be involved in an oil spill response must begin to view themselves as one tile of many that make up the mosaic known as the National Response System.

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