Implications of using chemical dispersants to combat oil spills in the German Bight – Depiction by means of a Bayesian network. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Zengkai; Callies, Ulrich
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 248(2019)
• Page Start: 609
• Page End: 620
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Oil spill -- Risk assessment -- Chemical dispersant -- German Bight -- Bayesian network; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Application of chemical dispersants is one option for combatting oil spills, dispersing oil into the water column and thereby reducing potential pollution to coastal areas. Efficiency of dispersant application depends on oil characteristics, sea and weather conditions. Potential environmental impacts must also be taken into account. Referring to the German Bight region (North Sea), we show how probabilistic Bayesian network (BN) technology can integrate all these aspects to support contingency planning. Expected effects of chemical dispersion on oil spill drift paths are quantified based on comprehensive numerical ensemble simulations. Ecological impacts are represented just in simplified terms focusing on nearshore seabird distributions. The intuitive and interactive BN summarizes expected benefits from chemical dispersion depending on where and under which weather conditions a hypothetical pollution occurs. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A Bayesian network (BN) to assess potential benefits of using dispersants is proposed. Expected effects of chemical dispersion on oil spill drift paths are quantified. Ecological impacts are represented focusing on seabird distributions near the coast. The BN is useful for contingency planning regarding oil spills in the German Bight. Abstract : This paper proposes a Bayesian network approach to assess potential benefits of using chemical dispersants for combatting oil spills in the German Bight.