Characteristic coastal habitats: choosing spill response alternatives

Oil on coastal waters, shorelines, or subtidal habitats can harm the environment, intrude on recreational activities, cause economic hardship, disrupt commercial activities, and be expensive to clean up. Decisions about if, where, when, and how to remove oil from coastal habitats affect each of these potential spill consequences. Sound cleanup decisions depend on accurate information about the types of habitats that the oil affects, the degree of oiling, and the location of oiling. Characteristic Coastal Habitats illustrates typical physical and biological attributes of North American coastal habitats at risk from oil spills. The text describes each habitat and discusses both how oil is likely to behave there and considerations for treating oil. 2000 NOS (National Ocean Service) ORR (Office of Response and Restoration) Library Public Domain 1935