Salt Marshes 



Most salt marsh ecologists agree that marshes are sensitive to all forms 

 of disturbance and nearly impossible to "clean" following an oil spill without 

 causing ecological impacts in addition to those already caused by the spill 

 (Teal 1962, Cowell et al . 1972, Ranwell 1972, Cowell, 1978). Even low-level 

 foot traffic can damage plant root systems, work oil into sediments, and 

 affect soil structure and drainage patterns. Extreme cleanup measures such as 

 bulldozing, raking, and draglining should be ruled out. Cutting marsh vege- 

 tation is not recommended merely to remove visible oil. If it is absolutely 

 necessary to prevent contamination of an unoiled part of the marsh, it should 

 be done with aquatic weed cutters from boats at high tide. A preferred method 

 is to flush with low-pressure water from boats at high tide to gently direct 

 free oil from the marsh to a collection point (Westree 1977). Foot or vehicle 

 traffic through a marsh is not recommended (Cowell 1978). Under most circum- 

 stances, no cleanup at all is probably the best course to follow. The advice 

 of salt marsh ecologists is vital during both preparation of spill response 

 plans and during a spill emergency. 



Rocky Beaches 



Rocky intertidal environments are best left to self clean in most cases. 

 High-impact cleanup methods like steam cleaning, hydroblasting and scraping 

 are not recommended. Flushing with low-pressure water can often remove 

 lighter oils without harming attached animals and plants. 



Sandy Beaches 



The most common spill cleanup method used in the United States has been 

 removal of oiled sand using earth moving equipment (URS 1970). In the United 

 Kingdom, dispersant spraying and burning have also been used (Nelson-Smith 

 1968, Bloom 1970, Dolan and Bowersox 1973, URS 1977). These methods all may 

 add to the ecological impact already caused by the spill (Nelson-Smith 1968, 

 Bleakley and Broaden 1974). 



Unless there is danger of contaminating unoiled areas, most sandy beaches 

 are probably best left to recover by natural means. Hand methods can be used 

 to remove large globules like tar balls. However, public amenity beaches 

 must sometimes be cleaned. At such times when the esthetic goal of removing 

 visible oil may take precedence over the ecological goal of minimizing impact 

 and should be recognized as such. If earth moving equipment must be used, 

 care should be taken to minimize disturbance to surrounding areas (backshore 

 dunes, marshes, etc.) and sediment removal should always be kept to a minimum. 



A technology being developed in Canada as part of the Arctic Marine Oil 

 Spill Program (AMOP) may enable removal of oiled sand with minimum substrate 

 disturbance. Russell et al . (1979) have developed a rotating belt with large 

 nails protruding from it. Nails penetrate the sediments and oiled sand sticks 



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