Presentation

· Contributors · Organizations · Search Program · Flagged · Happening Now

Update to the NOAA Job Aid on Oil Spills in Marshes: Planning and Response Considerations

DescriptionThe 2013 NOAA job aid on marshes was updated in 2022 to reflect the latest information relevant to the treatment and recovery of marshes following oil spills. The literature on impacts of spilled oil on marshes (1969-2022) identified 38 oil spills and field experiments 48 spill scenarios in total) for which sufficient data were available to generate recovery time estimates and identify factors influencing the rate of recovery. For roughly half of the spills reviewed, structural vegetation recovery occurred within one to two growing seasons, even in the absence of any treatment. Therefore, the decision to conduct treatment operations in oiled marshes needs to be based on the best understanding of the likely tradeoffs. The recovery period was longest for spills with the following conditions: cold climate; sheltered settings; thicker (>0.5 cm) deposition of oil on the marsh surface; large amounts of light refined (more toxic) oils; oils that formed persistent thick residues; oil that penetrated, became mixed with, or was buried in the marsh soils; repetitive, extended, or chronic reoiling; and intensive treatment to remove oil. The recovery period was shortest for the following conditions: warm climate; light to moderate or partial oiling of the aboveground vegetation only; spills outside of the growing season; medium crude oils; and less intensive treatment. Vegetation planting as a part of the response should be considered for marsh oiling that is likely to result in vegetation mortality, and as a possible condition for use of intensive marsh cleanup methods.

Authors