“EXTREME” COLD WEATHER OIL SPILL RESPONSETECHNIQUES STRATEGIES –ICE SNOW ENVIRONMENTS

摘要

The logistics of cleaning up spilled oil in cold weather differ fromrnthose involved in cleaning up a warm water oil spill. The cleanuprnis complicated by climatic conditions, the presence of variousrnforms of ice, and the changes that take place in the oil itself inrnresponse to cold temperatures. The physical constraints on therncleanup of an extreme cold weather oil spill include the fact thatrnduring winter months, it's often too cold to work and daylightrnbecomes a premium. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 states that whenrndesigning a Facility Response Plan, it should be based on a WorstrnCase Oil Spill in the Most Adverse Weather Conditions. In manyrnparts of the country, Extreme Cold Weather qualifies as the mostrnadverse condition. Almost every aspect of spill response is affectedrnby extreme temperatures. The equipment changes as does the PPErnworn by responders. Ice can contain and entrain oil that is spilledrnand may work both for and against recovery. Utilizing techniquesrnsuch as ice slotting can aid immensely in recovery operations, butrnthe safety of responders must always remain paramount.