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OSRR-158-Development and Evaluation of Shoreline Cleanup Techniques

Office/Division Program
OSRR
Project Number
158
Research Initiation Date (Award Date)
Research Performing Activity
Western Office, Technology Development Branch, Environment Canada
Research Principal Investigator
Mr. Gary A. Sergy
Research Contracting Agency
Description

The Minerals Management Service initiated a cooperative effort with Environment Canada (EC) which has videntified knowledge gaps in the application of cleanup techniques to the beaches characteristic of the Pacific coastline, from southern California to the Aleutian chain. This project evaluated the effectiveness of minimizing biological damage of spilled oil to such beaches and attempted to establish a correlation between cleanup effectiveness and environmental damage caused by various cleanup techniques. The objective of this program allows spill response personnel to choose shoreline cleanup strategies that will minimize the ecological effects of the spill and increase recovery potential for the affected ecological community.

Latest progress update

Environment Canada (EC) conducted a meeting of shoreline cleanup experts in Victoria, British Columbia, January 17-19, 1994. Participants prioritized studies and products necessary to improve the effectiveness of response to oil spills on shorelines. The proceedings from this meeting will identify knowledge gaps and recommend specific research projects. Project Number: 158 (cont.)