Potential Ecological Impacts of Unrefined Liquid Hydrocarbons in the Great Lakes

Session: 23. - The IJC's Science Advisory Board Review of Current Priorities and Projects

Michael Murray, National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Regional Center, [email protected]
David Allan, University of Michigan, Sch. For Environment and Sustainability, [email protected]
John Bratton, Limnotech, [email protected]
Matthew Child, International Joint Commission, [email protected]

Abstract

There is increasing interest in assessing potential impacts of oil spills in the Great Lakes region, given ongoing or potentially increased transport of crude oil through or near the region. The International Joint Commission Science Priority Committee has coordinated a review of potential ecological impacts of unrefined liquid hydrocarbons associated with spills in the region. A technical review of the literature explored several components, including methods of crude oil transport in the region, sensitive ecosystems, exposures and effects of crude oil and its components, modeling, and implications of spill response. Limited experience with previous spills (e.g., the 2010 Kalamazoo River spill) has provided insights on crude oil impacts, and in general, there is greater knowledge on acute risks to birds and aquatic life as compared to chronic risks (issues explored in more detail in Session #44). Recent ecological analyses (including geodatabases of coastal habitats) in combination with other data (e.g., transport corridors) provide information that can potentially be useful in consideration of vulnerability to oil spills. Additional work is needed in multiple areas, including concerning implications of changing transportation modes and quantities, physical and ecological modeling, fate and effects of different crude oil types, and effects in specific organism groups.

1. Keyword
environmental contaminants

2. Keyword
transportation

3. Keyword
coastal ecosystems

4. Additional Keyword
crude oil

5. Additional Keyword
ecotoxicology

6. Additional Keyword
vulnerability