other devices may be employed at this point. The remaining petro- 

 leum may later be burned, or the vegetation may be cut and removed 

 from the area. Additional vehicular traffic and manpower is neces- 

 sary for all these activities. 



2. Primary ecological alterations 



2.1 Introduction of toxic materials to water and soil systems 



2.2 Complete above-ground removal of vegetation in area of the 

 spill 



2.3 Trampling and crushing of vegetation in adjacent areas during 

 access and cleanup 



2.4 Complete removal of selected consumer species in spill area 



2.5 Displacement of other consumers in spill area and access routes 



2.6 Increase in concentrations of suspended sediments and dissolved 

 nutrients 



2.7 Creation of pathways for increased saltwater inundation 



2.8 Creation of pathways for increased rate of flow of runoff 



2.9 Blockage or alteration of existing tidal drainage pattern 



2.10 Change in frequency of inundation in localized areas 

 3. Attribute alterations 



The chemical composition, and therefore the acute toxicity, of crude 

 oils vary. The petroleum coating of flora and fauna will ultimately 

 lead to death in some unknown (and differing) percentage of each 

 species. Further discussion of species-specific toxicity is not 

 warranted here because (1) toxicity of various petroleum products 

 differs greatly, (2) the assumption is made that cleanup operations 

 will remove all above-ground portions of affected vegetation and 

 most disabled consumers, and (3) it is further assumed that elimina- 

 tion of spilled materials is relatively fast and nearly complete. 



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