By: Jessica Robertson
With the changing climate melting
ice in the Arctic Ocean, traffic, both tourism and industry related, steadily
increases in the northern realm of our planet. The increased travel brings to
light the unpreparedness of the region for managing the risk of an oil spill.
Other
highly trafficked water routes have systems in place for managing the
occasional oil spill. In the Arctic, fewer systems are in place and the extreme
conditions make it a difficult operation to even respond to a spill. Due to the
extreme weather, enormous geographic area, beautifully diverse ecosystem, and
limited resources for operation and communication in some areas, many changes
would need to be instated to prepare for a spill response that compares to a
response in easier waters.
Decision makers
are working toward an international plan that would better prepare and protect
the Arctic as the traffic pattern expands. A proper response plan must include
a number of techniques to span the vast number of possible environmental
situations. No single method can begin to apply in all possible spill
scenarios. More equipment, better
communication, a larger workforce, and increased safety measures are just a few
of the items on the wishlist for a project of this scale.
Studies are
underway to assess the possible effects of dispersants and oil on some Arctic
marine species. The findings of these studies will inform decisions on how to
manage spills in the future. Alaska has yet to grant approval for the use of
chemical dispersants to address a spill, preferring in situ burning as a
cleaner and safer method for their environment. It is yet to be seen what
methods will be placed in the Arctic toolbox, but hopes are high that the
environment will remain safe in their care.
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