Management of contaminated marine marketable resources after oil and HNS spills in Europe

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Cunha, I (Author) Other; Neuparth, T (Author) Other; Moreira, S (Author) Other; Santos, MM (Author) FCUP; Reis Henriques, MA (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Environmental Management

Vol. 135

Pages: 36-44

ISSN: 0301-4797

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-4AS

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.12.032

Abstract (EN): Different risk evaluation approaches have been used to face oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) spills all over the world. To minimize health risks and mitigate economic losses due to a long term ban on the sale of sea products after a spill, it is essential to preemptively set risk evaluation criteria and standard methodologies based on previous experience and appropriate scientifically sound criteria. Standard methodologies are analyzed and proposed in order to improve the definition of criteria for reintegrating previously contaminated marine marketable resources into the commercialization chain in Europe. The criteria used in former spills for the closing of and lifting of bans on fisheries and harvesting are analyzed. European legislation was identified regarding food sampling, food chemical analysis and maximum levels of contaminants allowed in seafood, which ought to be incorporated in the standard methodologies for the evaluation of the decision criteria defined for oil and HNS spills in Europe. A decision flowchart is proposed that opens the current decision criteria to new material that may be incorporated in the decision process. Decision criteria are discussed and compared among countries and incidents. An a priori definition of risk criteria and an elaboration of action plans are proposed to speed up actions that will lead to prompt final decisions. These decisions, based on the best available scientific data and conducing to lift or ban economic activity, will tend to be better understood and respected by citizens.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9