Risk Appraisal and Remediation of Oil-contaminated systems Dissertation

Risk Appraisal and Remediation of Oil-contaminated systems - Dissertation Example The main purpose of the determination of both the risk posed to the receptors and the extent of that side was mainly achieved through background research and essential data collection, the development of a conceptual site model (CSM) describing the pollution linkages and the risk values calculated by using the RISC4 software. Through the conceptual site model and software used in the conduct of the research, a number of important results were found. For instance some of the high risk receptors of the various risks that were posed were found to include workers of the company on board the vessel that crashed against the Bligh Reef, the marine animals in areas of 5,500 square meters (14,000km2), the water within the area of 5,500 square meters (14,000km2) and air within 5,500 square meters around the spill. Again, the quantitative results turned out an average risk of 5.2E+02. Having identified the pollution linkage and the risk posed to receptors, one of the core objectives of the rese arch was then to identify remedial actions that are necessary in reducing the possible harm that receptors may receive. Out of the discussions, it became clear that a well coordinated risk assessment held the key in preventing the disaster. On the other hand, key factors like the fact that the Bligh Reef, which was the site of the disaster had a number of environmental conditions such as the presence of plant forest and high tidal activities, which were all sources of the accident. The fate of the crude oil, which includes the ability of the oil to evaporate and undergo volatilisation also accounted for the degree of harm that was caused because the air became highly polluted. Several pathways which included both active and passive pathways also made it possible for the hazard to reach receptors, which included human receptors and environmental receptors. In order to curtail the intensity of the harm that receptors may get from the spill the use of solidification as a remediation st rategy is suggested. This is because it helps in further spread of spilled oil to nearby sources. For all future oil transportation, it is recommended that a technology based risk assessment models such as RISC 4 be used to get a better idea of the levels of risks that exists so that appropriate remedial measures will be taken in relation to the identified risks. Keywords — Risk assessment, fate, receptors, contaminants, transport pathway, oil spill, RISC 4 Table of Contents Introduction 6 Historical Background 6 Natural Environment of Prince William Sound 9 METHODOLOGY 17 Sources of Information 17 The present study was conducted following the qualitative research approach. Subsequently, a lot of secondary data were collected for analysis under the methodology section of the paper. By secondary data, reference is being made to the fact that the data collected made use of existing data on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. This was necessary to do because the data collected did not h ave immediate access to primary data from the disaster grounds where first hand data collection could be collected. Noting the need to ensure a high quality paper that could be trusted as reliable and valid, the data collected ensured that only authentic academic sources of information were used. These included information from academic journal, books from the National Geographic Library and of course, internationally approved statistical websites. 17 Model used for Data