ADVANCE PLANNING FOR DISPERSANT USE/NON-USE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Guidelines are suggested for advance planning for the use or non-use of dispersants to combat oil spills. These guidelines are intended to expedite the decision to use dispersants in the event of an oil spill, where that will minimize environmental damage. These guidelines can be applied readily to any geographical area to answer the following questions: (1) Are there locations where dispersant application should normally be allowed? (2) In these locations, what rate of dispersant application should be allowed? (3) Are there locations where dispersant application should normally be avoided? The logic behind these guidelines is explained so that exceptions can be identified and so that changes in the guidelines can be made as advances are made in the state of the art. These guidelines provide for control over dispersant usage while allowing application (in most instances) at rates which can disperse floating oil effectively.