MARINE DISPERSANT PROGRAM FOR LICENSING AND RESEARCH IN SAO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

ABSTRACT The State of São Paulo has established a program for research on and for licensing of chemical dispersants. The basic factors adopted for evaluation and approval of these products were their composition, efficiency (or effectiveness) and toxicity. Various methods for evaluation have been tested; the Warren Spring method was chosen due to its greater repeatability, rapidity, and lower cost. The U.S. EPA toxicity evaluation procedure with Artemia nauplii was chosen for licensing the products, due to its relative simplicity and repeatability. (A new assay procedure, intended to replace the Artemia test, was initiated with a regional shrimp and is progressing as a research program.) A linked composition/efficiency/toxicity licensing procedure has been developed.