Impacts, recovery rates, and treatment options for spilled oil in marshes.
In a review of the literature on impacts of spilled oil on marshes, 32 oil spills and field experiments were identified with sufficient data to generate recovery curves and identify influencing factors controlling the rate of recovery. For many spills, recovery occurred within 1-2 growing seasons, even in the absence of any treatment. Recovery was longest for spills with the following conditions: Cold climate; sheltered settings; thick oil on the marsh surface; light refined products with heavy loading; oils that formed persistent thick residues; and intensive treatment. Recovery was shortest for spills with the following conditions: Warm climate; light to heavy oiling of the vegetation only; medium crude oils; and less-intensive treatment. Recommendations are made for treatment based on the following oiling conditions: Free-floating oil on the water in the marsh; thicker oil (>0.5 cm) on marsh surface; thinner oil (<0.5 cm) on marsh surface; heavy oil loading on vegetation; and light to moderate oil loading on vegetation.
Research Planning, Inc., 1121 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201, USA. Electronic address: jmichel@researchplanning.com.
Jacqueline
J
Michel
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA. Electronic address: nicolle.r.rutherford@noaa.gov.
Nicolle
N
Rutherford
D004777:Environment; D010578:Petroleum; D059392:Petroleum Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects*; D053833:Wetlands
D010578:Petroleum
Marshes; Oil spills; Recovery; Treatment