How Clean is Clean?: Development of Monitoring Methods to Determine Environmental and Socially Acceptable End-Points of Clean-Up

Abstract

Endpoints for oil spill clean-up have been discussed and evaluated in several projects and Workshops over the last few decades. The results produced have been used to modify and develop more environmentally friendly clean-up methods. Nonetheless, there is still a need for advice and robust monitoring tools necessary for the decision making process when deciding to terminate a clean-up operation. This project has developed three monitoring methods to assess environmental and socially acceptable end-points of clean-up operations for Swedish coastal areas. In general, the methods are based on oils stickiness, thickness and bleeding, and have also been developed for ease of use in the field.