Scientific and Engineering Activities During the Spill 



The scientist and engineer can fill many roles during the spill response. 

 This document covers the activities of support, technical advice, and documen- 

 tation which are outside of the direct cleanup operations even though many 

 engineers and scientists may have line management roles in the cleanup. These 

 roles are: 1) scientific support, 2) assistance in oil spill technology, and 

 3) documentation. 



A series of 20 task items has been prepared with regard to the three 

 major areas listed previously. These task items are: 



1. establish logistical base near the spill site; 



2. document the source, cause, and size of the spill for scientific 

 and research purposes; 



3. determine the type and properties of spilled material and 

 collect a sample if possible; 



4. monitor the weathering and emulsification of the spilled oil; 



5. measure and/or predict information on wind, rainfall, stream- 

 flow, tides, currents, and waves; 



6. determine the impacted aquatic environmental systems and obtain 

 or determine their properties; 



7. determine the impacted terrestrial systems and obtain or 

 determine their properties; 



8. predict where the spilled material will go on the surface and 

 map actual movement; 



9. determine the properties of the deposited material and obtain 

 samples for analysis and storage; 



10. provide advice to the spill response manager relating to 

 cleanup technology; 



11. determine cleanup resources employed; 



12. determine overall cleanup technology utilized; 



13. provide and/or record containment technology; 



14. determine removal technology for beaches; 



15. determine removal technology for marshes; 



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