were not colonized by polychaete, molluscs, and other invertebrate larvae so 

 rapidly as the relatively uncontaminated sediments. 



SPECIFIC IMPACTS OF OIL ON LIVING SYSTEMS 



Now that we have seen how various factors influence the biological impact 

 of an oil spill, it is important to discuss some of the specific effects that 

 oil has on living systems or populations. These effects include, but are 

 not necessarily limited to, the following: 



Death as a result of coating and asphyxiation 



• Death through contact poisoning 



• Death from exposure to water-soluble toxic compounds 



• Destruction of sensitive juvenile forms 



• Destruction of food sources or support populations 



• Incorporation of sublethal amounts, resulting in the reduced 

 resistance of species to infection or stresses 



• Incorporation of sublethal amounts, producing an off-flavor 

 or taint in exploitable species, thereby causing an economic 

 loss to man. 



EPA RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE RESPONSE TEAM 



When an oil spill occurs, the role of the EPA traditionally has been 

 to serve as an environmental watchdog and as an adviser to the On-Scene Coordinator 

 (OSC). To be effective in these roles, the EPA must assemble, assimilate, 

 and interpret various data for the OSC. In order to gather the most meaningful 

 and accurate information within the shortest period, it is often necessary 

 to disaggregate activities. This means that EPA biologists perform a different 

 role in oil spill response than the biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service and other agencies. It is important to stress that this disaggregation 

 of activities is necessary to optimize on available manpower and resources. 

 A typical scenario is outlined in the following paragraphs. 



PREFIELD ACTIVITY 



• The EPA biologists contact the OSC in order to obtain a briefing on 

 the spill, to collect maps of the affected area, and to obtain a field 

 radio unit that is on the same frequency as the base radio in the 

 command post. 



• The biologists become informed about known or suspected damage and 

 any sensitive areas that are threatened (i.e., wetlands, wildlife 

 preserves, bird rookeries, or shellfish beds). Some of the most reliable 

 sources of information concerning affected sensitive areas are State 



or local conservation officials, naturalists, and biologists. A 

 quick assessment and decision at this point usually pays off by 

 optimizing activities yet to come. 



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