Using dogs to detect oil spills hidden in snow and ice - A new tool to detect oil in Arctic environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 2219-2236
Author(s):  
Per Johan Brandvik ◽  
Turid Buvik
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Search Site ◽  
Arctic Conditions ◽  
Large Aircraft ◽  
Snow And Ice

ABSTRACT The main objective of this project has been to train dogs to find oil spills hidden in snow or ice. Previous tests performed during 2007 in a laboratory environment in Trondheim showed that dogs are able to detect and identify the smell of oil, both weathered crude and bunker fuels. Outdoor tests in the Trondheim area in Norway (63°N) have also shown that dogs detect the smell of oil and can find point sources of oil at an outdoor temperature down to −5°C. This was confirmed in phase I of this project. Realistic field tests conducted in 2008 on Svalbard (78°N) confirmed that dogs can be used to detect oil spills covered with snow and ice in Arctic environments. The dogs were able to locate single point sources and determine the approximate dimensions of a larger oil spill. The dogs also verified the bearing to a larger oil spill (400 liters, covered in snow) in increasing downwind distances up to 5 km from the oil spill. This fieldwork on Svalbard has shown that the search dog teams perform well under very harsh Arctic conditions. The dogs and the handlers were able to work in temperatures below −20° C for multiple days. The dogs also managed to keep their full concentration and operative sensitivity for several days even after being transported, first by large aircraft (3 hours), then by small aircraft (0.5 hour) and finally the search site in cages strapped on snow scooter sledges. The use of snow scooters for transporting the dogs made it possible to reach remote areas, arriving with rested dogs ready for action. This study has showed that specially trained dogs are a sensitive and effective tool to search large snow and ice covered areas to detect possible oil spills.

NEW IMO/EPPR GUIDES TO ARCTIC OIL SPILL RESPONSE – STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 1182-1193
Author(s):  
E. H. Owens ◽  
D. F. Dickins ◽  
L. B. Solsberg ◽  
O-K. Bjerkemo
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Field Guide ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Snow And Ice

ABSTRACT In 2015 and 2016, two complementary projects produced both a new strategic guide (in two versions) and an updated operationally oriented guide to assist managers, regulators and responders in responding effectively to oil spills in snow and ice conditions. The objective of the first initiative, which began as a Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) project, a “Guide to Oil Spill Response in Snow and Ice Conditions”, was to identify and describe the strategic aspects of planning and operations. This program gained a separate phase through the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) working group of the Arctic Council to adapt the Guide specifically for Arctic waters. The second initiative by EPPR was to update the 1998 “Field Guide for Oil Spill Response in Arctic Waters” while retaining the original operational focus. The 2016 version of the Field Guide incorporates major revisions and updates to sections on strategies and countermeasures, for example the use of herders and burning, dispersants in ice and specialized brush skimmers as well as advances in remote sensing and tracking. In addition, new sections address important topics such as Health and Human Safety, Logistics and Wildlife Response. The overall goal was to produce two complementary documents that provide a broad base of essential information to key decision-makers and responders at both the strategic planning level and at the field tactics and operations level. These two projects bring together a wide range of new knowledge generated over the past two decades that make many previous manuals and documents out of date. With such a vast amount of recent literature, the new strategic guide and the operational field guide update can only provide a brief summary of the new material but are valuable tools to indicate where the more detailed documents can be found.

NEARSHORE OPERATIONS RESPONSE STRATEGY: Overcoming Spill Response Challenges in Remote Areas

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 300126
Author(s):  
Mike Popovich ◽  
Tim L. Robertson ◽  
Gary Folley
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Near Shore ◽  
Department Of Environmental Conservation

Conducting oil spill recovery operations in remote regions/environments is a daunting challenge. Increased shipping and oil exploration in the Arctic drives the need for developing innovative ways to mitigate oil spills in remote regions. This includes bolstering near-shore spill response to protect coastal resources. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, and Alaska oil spill response organizations, has developed a Nearshore Operations Response Strategy (NORS) that provides planners and responders with a framework to plan for and carry out long-term oil removal and shoreline protection strategies in the Alaskan near-shore environment. NORS addresses the logistical challenges that exist when considering sustained operations in remote areas without shore-based support facilities. This strategy begins with tactics developed using best available technology to recover oil and protect resources in the near-shore environment. The components of a Nearshore Response Group designed to implement these tactics over a ten mile radius are described. Finally, the elements of a marine logistical base to support the Group for up to 21 days in remote regions are developed.

scholarly journals Geometrical Properties of Spilled Oil on Seawater Detected Using a LiDAR Sensor

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
JungHwan Moon ◽  
Minwoo Jung
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Light Detection And Ranging ◽  
Lidar System ◽  
Geometrical Properties ◽  
Oil Slick ◽  
Oil Films ◽  
Spilled Oil

We report on a small-size light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, which offers the possibility of being used in the field during oil spill incidents. In the present study, we develop an algorithm that can distinguish between seawater and oil through the use of a laser at 905 nm wavelength. We investigate the ability of the sensor to detect three different oil types (light crude, bunker A, and bunker C) through experiments and analyze the differences between the types and volumes of spilled oil (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 50 mL). The results showed that our algorithm for detecting oil spills over seawater was successful: the LiDAR sensor was able to detect different oil types and volumes. Spilled oil area coverage ranged by more than 50% of the detected area, and the viscosity of bunker C oil reached up to 73%. In addition, the experimental oil spills were mainly formed of oil films of 1 mm and 2 mm thicknesses, which confirmed geometrical properties. Follow-up research should further investigate the characteristics of oil slick thickness measured by the LiDAR system and undertake field tests to assess the feasibility of using the LiDAR system in pollution incidents.

scholarly journals Oil Spill Detection Using Fluorometric Sensors: Laboratory Validation and Implementation to a FerryBox and a Moored SmartBuoy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siim Pärt ◽  
Harri Kankaanpää ◽  
Jan-Victor Björkqvist ◽  
Rivo Uiboupin
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Autonomous Systems ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Visual Surveillance ◽  
Fluorescence Signal ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Oil Spill Detection

A large part of oil spills happen near busy marine fairways. Presently, oil spill detection and monitoring are mostly done with satellite remote sensing algorithms, or with remote sensors or visual surveillance from aerial vehicles or ships. These techniques have their drawbacks and limitations. We evaluated the feasibility of using fluorometric sensors in flow-through systems for real-time detection of oil spills. The sensors were capable of detecting diesel oil for at least 20 days in laboratory conditions, but the presence of CDOM, turbidity and algae-derived substances substantially affected the detection capabilities. Algae extract was observed to have the strongest effect on the fluorescence signal, enhancing the signal in all combinations of sensors and solutions. The sensors were then integrated to a FerryBox system and a moored SmartBuoy. The field tests support the results of the laboratory experiments, namely that the primary source of the measured variation was the presence of interference compounds. The 2 month experiments data did not reveal peaks indicative of oil spills. Both autonomous systems worked well, providing real-time data. The main uncertainty is how the sensors' calibration and specificity to oil, and the measurement depth, affects oil detection. We recommend exploring mathematical approaches and more advanced sensors to correct for natural interferences.

scholarly journals Salvage Companies as OSROs: Benefits and Limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicky Cariglia
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Natural Extension ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
Global Response ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Remote Locations ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT Response to oil spills in remote locations have long be limited primarily by logistical considerations. Frequently, issues associated with these cases are driven by lack of infrastructure, preparedness and regional capacity. Whilst year on year the number of significant ship-source oil spills have been on the decrease and global response preparedness has generally improved, in remote areas they still present a challenge which can prolong the response and associated impacts. Correlated with oil spills the salvage industry has also seen a steady decline in the number of major casualties. However, the need for salvage contractors to maintain adequate capacity, infrastructure, equipment and expertise to be able to respond to major casualties as and when they occur still remains. This is especially important with the construction of ever larger vessels. The backdrop of fewer casualties, whilst needing to retain capacity to deal with increasingly complex salvage operations has resulted in an attempt to diversify and expand services provided by salvage contractors. Oil spill response (OSR) has been viewed by some as a natural extension to the salvage industry's remit to prevent pollution from casualties. This is particularly so for remote cases where advanced logistics, the ability to support a large cash-flow and global contacts are key to implement a response. Such regions are less likely to have established OSR organisations able, experienced or large enough to respond to the situation. Several recent cases have demonstrated that salvage contractors could be in a unique position to fill these gaps. However, based on recent experience from several cases where salvage contractors have overseen OSR operations, there are several limitations that should be addressed by these organisations to cement their position in this role. This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of salvage contractors in OSR as observed by the authors over several cases and presents lessons learned with general recommendations for such organisations to sustainably complement the OSR sector.

ECOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE VULNERABILITY OF THE COASTS OF THE KARA SEA TO THE OIL SPILL

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Ermolov ◽  
Alexander Ermolov
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
International System ◽  
Kara Sea ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Expert Assessments ◽  
International Systems

International experience of oil spill response in the sea defines the priority of coastal protection and the need to identify as most valuable in ecological terms and the most vulnerable areas. Methodological approaches to the assessing the vulnerability of Arctic coasts to oil spills based on international systems of Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) and geomorphological zoning are considered in the article. The comprehensive environmental and geomorphological approach allowed us to form the morphodynamic basis for the classification of seacoasts and try to adapt the international system of indexes to the shores of the Kara Sea taking into account the specific natural conditions. This work has improved the expert assessments of the vulnerability and resilience of the seacoasts.

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.

scholarly journals Next-Generation Smart Response Web (NG-SRW): An Operational Spatial Decision Support System for Maritime Oil Spill Emergency Response in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6585
Author(s):  
Mihhail Fetissov ◽  
Robert Aps ◽  
Floris Goerlandt ◽  
Holger Jänes ◽  
Jonne Kotta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Spatial Decision Support System ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
The Baltic

The Baltic Sea is a unique and sensitive brackish-water ecosystem vulnerable to damage from shipping activities. Despite high levels of maritime safety in the area, there is a continued risk of oil spills and associated harmful environmental impacts. Achieving common situational awareness between oil spill response decision makers and other actors, such as merchant vessel and Vessel Traffic Service center operators, is an important step to minimizing detrimental effects. This paper presents the Next-Generation Smart Response Web (NG-SRW), a web-based application to aid decision making concerning oil spill response. This tool aims to provide, dynamically and interactively, relevant information on oil spills. By integrating the analysis and visualization of dynamic spill features with the sensitivity of environmental elements and value of human uses, the benefits of potential response actions can be compared, helping to develop an appropriate response strategy. The oil spill process simulation enables the response authorities to judge better the complexity and dynamic behavior of the systems and processes behind the potential environmental impact assessment and thereby better control the oil combat action.

scholarly journals SAR Oil Spill Detection System through Random Forest Classifiers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2044
Author(s):  
Marcos R. A. Conceição ◽  
Luis F. F. Mendonça ◽  
Carlos A. D. Lentini ◽  
André T. C. Lima ◽  
José M. Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Feature Space ◽  
Dark Spot ◽  
Sar Image ◽  
Extensive Search ◽  
Gradient Based ◽  
Biological Films

A set of open-source routines capable of identifying possible oil-like spills based on two random forest classifiers were developed and tested with a Sentinel-1 SAR image dataset. The first random forest model is an ocean SAR image classifier where the labeling inputs were oil spills, biological films, rain cells, low wind regions, clean sea surface, ships, and terrain. The second one was a SAR image oil detector named “Radar Image Oil Spill Seeker (RIOSS)”, which classified oil-like targets. An optimized feature space to serve as input to such classification models, both in terms of variance and computational efficiency, was developed. It involved an extensive search from 42 image attribute definitions based on their correlations and classifier-based importance estimative. This number included statistics, shape, fractal geometry, texture, and gradient-based attributes. Mixed adaptive thresholding was performed to calculate some of the features studied, returning consistent dark spot segmentation results. The selected attributes were also related to the imaged phenomena’s physical aspects. This process helped us apply the attributes to a random forest, increasing our algorithm’s accuracy up to 90% and its ability to generate even more reliable results.

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.

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