Site map

	Oil		Impact
	Pollution		Response
	Sources		Rehabilitation

	Oil
What is oil?
See how it works The origins of oil The origins of oil Read all about it The origins of oil
Transporting oil
See how it works Evolution of tonnage of oil transported worldwide Main worldwide oil transportation routes Routes of the Prestige and the Erika Read all about it Quantities and modes of transport High risk zones Transportation of refined products Risk management
Oil in our everyday lives
See how it works Products obtained from crude oil refinery Read all about it Products of oil refinery Consumption Noble usage Good usage and recycling
	Pollution
Water pollution
See how it works Everything flows into the sea Read all about it Definitions Problems
Black tides
See how it works Source of hydrocarbons in the marine environment The 20 unforgettable oil spills Distribution of tonnage of oil spilled Read all about it Oil spills Disasters and tar balls Unforgettable oil spills Landmark spills Recent spills in Europe Impact of oil spills
Natural discharge
Read all about it Natural sources of hydrocarbons
	Sources
Release on land
See how it works Oil spills caused by industry and wars Read all about it Facts and figures Prevention
Oil tanker accidents
See how it works Number of oil tanker accidents causing spills Complexity of oil transportation Causes of oil tanker accidents Double hull tankers Circulation in the Ushant traffic separation scheme Read all about it Facts and figures Causes of accidents Preventative measures Double hull Compliance checks Traffic separation schemes Involvement of industry Places of refuge
Operational discharge
Read all about it Oil tankers Degassing, deballasting and operational discharge Non-tankers
Surveillance and deterrence
See how it works POLREPs in France's surveillance zones French protection zone in the Mediterranean Read all about it Pollution observation Waste reception
Terminals, worksites, platforms
Read all about it Terminals and worksites Offshore oil platforms
	Impact
First effects
See how it works Massive arrival of pollutant Read all about it Psychological shock
Evolution of oil
See how it works Evolution of oil spilled in water Biodegradation of hydrocarbons Read all about it Gradual transformation
Pollution at sea
Read all about it Impact
Pollution of the shoreline
See how it works Sensitivity of intertidal ecosystems Read all about it Sensitivity of ecosystems Rocky coasts Beaches Mudflats and marshes Coral reefs Human coastal activities
Impact on flora and fauna
See how it works Effect of hydrocarbons on marine organisms Read all about it Direct effects Lethal effects Sublethal toxic effects Bioaccumulation of hydrocarbons Tainting Indirect effects
Factors affecting impact
Read all about it Spill characteristics Spill context Limiting impact
Economic impact
Read all about it Response and clean-up expenses Purely economic damages
	Response
Organisational framework
See how it works Regional conventions in force Read all about it International conventions Regional cooperation European environmental organisation National organisation Polluter and partners
Carrying out response
See how it works Information transmission Organisational flowchart Read all about it Information Managing operations Choice of response actions
Response at sea
See how it works Spreading dispersants Recovery at sea Recovery of the fuel from the Prestige Deploying booms Deploying booms Using a skimmer Treating the wreck of the Erika Read all about it Lightering and burning Dispersion Containment and recovery Sorbents Treating the wreck
Response on land
See how it works Recovery on land Protecting sensitive areas Level of clean-up to be attained High pressure washing Cleaning using an oleophilic roller Animal rescue Feeding birds Read all about it Protective measures Initial clean-up Final clean-up Bioremediation Cleaning birds and mammals
Waste disposal
See how it works Filling a skip with waste Transporting collected waste Read all about it Storage Transportation Treatment
	Rehabilitation
Public concerns
Read all about it Preoccupations Answers
Fate of oil
See how it works Summary of fate of oil calculated by mass: Amoco Cadiz / Prestige Read all about it Oil in the environment Oil in organisms Impact studies
Regaining a natural balance
Read all about it Natural recolonisation Human support for nature
Resuming activities
Read all about it Revival of the local economy Compensation of damages Who pays?
Future prospects
Read all about it Myths and realities Prevention Beyond oil spills Updating organisational frameworks Tendencies