Oil pollution at coast & at sea ME-6

Marine Environment & Coastal Zones Pressure

1 Indicator definition and unit of measurement

Total accidental, licensed and illegal disposal of mineral oil to the coastal and marine environment in metric tonnes per annum .

2 Placement in the framework

5EAP:

Comes into industrial, waste, transport and water management but not tackled directly .

Agenda 21:

Chapter 17: Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources.

International conventions and agreements:

Worldwide the MARPOL 73/78 Annex 1 Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil applies. This is concerned with vessels and harbours only. Other conventions and agreements cover specific areas and include landbased sources e.g. OSPARCOM for the North-East Atlantic, the Med iterranean Blue Plan, Odessa Declaration , Black Sea Action Plan. EU law: tries to control oil pollution in three ways: 1. by limiting the pollutant discharge such as Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464/EEC, Barcelona Convention concluded on behalf of the EU by Council Decision 77/585/EEC and approval of the oil pollution control protocol of 81/420/EEC; 2. by setting receiving water standards (eg bathing water 76/160/EEC, shellfish water - 79/923/EEC) and 3. Management, practise include emergency and information such as Directive 93/75/EEC on minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving EU ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods, the North Sea decision 84/358/EEC approving the Bonn Agreement to ensure active cooperation between riparian states in case of pollution incidents and its equivalent for other seas. Decision 86/85/EEC sets up an information system on oil spills. An EU Directive on oil reception facilities is being prepared.

Ranking:

Core ranking: 6 (33%)

Policy Relevance: 3 (3.3)

Analytical Soundness: 6 (2.9)

Responsiveness: 8 (2.7)

Most appropriate related state indicator:

Number and size of oil pollution incidents and accidents registered per annum per chosen unit of coastal and marine area. As this is strongly influenced large accidents, ancillary state indicators measures which would take into account small scale pollution in drains, on the shore and at sea are sought. The Commission’s D irectorate General VII (Transport) will have baseline oil/tar data for inflows and sample shores of most European countries by early 1998.

3 Significance

Purpose:

Oil lost and discharged represents a direct and significant pollution threat for marine life as well as industries which depend on clean water and shore, notably tourism, fishing and aquaculture.

Oil is used by the population at large and enters the marine and coastal environment not only direct, as in shipping, oil drilling etc. but also as final sink from a large variety of hinterland uses. This “background” pollution may be legislated for, but enforcement depends heavily on public understanding of the threat, good practise and reward of good practise. By focusing on the input from all sources and designing suitable monitoring and report back techniques, the indicator could be a powerful tool for improving the situation.

Relevance:

In contrast to say nutrients, which are needed and where limited anthropogenic inputs can benefit select sectors -e.g. shellfish growing, oil is never argued to be beneficial. This strengthens its potential as politically clear pressure indicator. Oil is known to build up in sediments sch as harbour muds and by dredging can be introduced into new areas.

Linkages to other pressure indicators:

Oil is associated with other pollution, both at sea (e.g. a vessel can be source of both garbage and bilge water pollution) and on land, notably leachate from landfill sites with mixes of oil and other pollutants, storm drains may carry debris, nutrients, silt and oil. It is also relevant to biodiversity as even small levels oil pollution can cause marine organisms such as limpids (Patella) to lose their hold. Sea bird losses due to oil po llution are well documented and oil pollution threats to marine mammals which move close to shore, classed as significant. Oil pollution is also a loss of valuable non renewable energy source.

Targets:

Dangerous substances Directive 76/464/EEC persistent mineral oils are list I with target of total elimination of pollution, list II for non persistent to be covered by specific quality objectives to be set by member states.

4 Methodological description and underlying definitions

Underlying definitions and concepts:

The impact of the pollutant depends on type of oil, sensitivity of the area (e.g. salt marsh damage may be almost irreversible, while a rocky shore may be hosed down with relatively quick and satisfactory recovery) , weather and how the pollution is tackled. This variability make s oil as state indicator prone to argument and highlights the need for controlling the handling of oil and avoiding loss or illegitimate disposal.

Measurement methods:

Tonnes of oil lost or estimated to be discharged from various sources land and sea is normally done indirectly. If a ship has an accident, then the amount lost is worked out from amount carried, minus amount retained after the accident. For oil finger printed as bilge source, the expected bilge load, known from ships which discharge their waste oil legally, is calculated. For off shore oil and gas exploration it may be easier to work back from state - amount of oil pollution on the sea bed in the rig vicinity. Once it comes to small scale disposal from garages, do it yourself oil changes etc., the estimates become significantly greater. Oil recycling companies give estimates of oil bought in their region, amount burnt/used and potential volume for recycling.

Limitations of the indicator:

As oil is used in so many processes, the monitoring and measurement available is crucial. At present it is inadequate to show real trend of improvements or disimprovements.

Alternative definitions:

A narrow er definition of oil disposal/loss from a few routes which we concentrate on for monitoring may give interim results of acceptable accuracy. As we improve monitoring new routes and sources can be added.