ASTM F2464-05
(Guide)Standard Guide for Cleaning of Various Oiled Shorelines and Habitats
Standard Guide for Cleaning of Various Oiled Shorelines and Habitats
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
One of the key considerations in making sound clean-up decisions for oiled shorelines and marine resources is the relative sensitivity of the impacted area. Some areas may be so sensitive that cleaning methods could cause more harm than benefit. In such cases, natural recovery will be the preferred approach. In other cases, depending on the type of oil, the amount of oil present may be so extensive that recovery will be significantly delayed or not occur at all unless active intervention is carried out.
This guide presents summary information taken from API Publication 4706 and NOAA Publication Characteristic Coastal Habitats on the relative physical and biological sensitivities of shorelines and other marine habitats. It is to be used along with Guides F 1686, F 1687, and F 2204 as well as the other referenced publications to make informed decisions prior to undertaking cleaning operations.
The relative sensitivities of shorelines and resources relate to a number of factors:
3.3.1 Shoreline type (substrate, grain size, tidal elevation, etc.),
3.3.2 Biological productivity, diversity and vulnerability,
3.3.3 Exposure to wave and tidal energy, and
3.3.4 Ability to conduct cleanup without undue ancillary damage.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides information on shoreline types and sensitive habitats that can be used as guidance for selecting appropriate cleaning techniques following an oil spill. The emphasis is on typical physical and biological attributes of coastal habitats that could be at risk from marine oil spills. It reviews and encompasses the entire spectrum of shoreline types representing a wide range of sensitivities. It is largely based on NOAA's Characteristic Coastal Habitats, and the API 4706 Publication Environmental Considerations for Marine Oil Spill Response.
1.2 This guide provides only very broad guidance on cleaning strategies for the various habitats. For more in-depth guidance, the reader is referred to Section , Referenced Documents.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: F2464 − 05
StandardGuide for
Cleaning of Various Oiled Shorelines and Habitats
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2464; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 American Petroleum Institute (API) Publication:
Environmental Considerations for Marine Oil Spill
1.1 This guide provides information on shoreline types and
Response, API Publication 4706, 2001, 319 pp.
sensitive habitats that can be used as guidance for selecting
2.3 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
appropriate cleaning techniques following an oil spill. The
(NOAA) Publication:
emphasis is on typical physical and biological attributes of
Characteristic Coastal Habitats, Choosing Spill Response
coastal habitats that could be at risk from marine oil spills. It
Alternatives, 2000, Office of Response and Restoration.
reviews and encompasses the entire spectrum of shoreline
88 pp.
types representing a wide range of sensitivities. It is largely
based on NOAA’s Characteristic Coastal Habitats, and the
3. Significance and Use
API 4706 Publication Environmental Considerations for Ma-
3.1 One of the key considerations in making sound clean-up
rine Oil Spill Response.
decisions for oiled shorelines and marine resources is the
1.2 This guide provides only very broad guidance on
relative sensitivity of the impacted area. Some areas may be so
cleaning strategies for the various habitats. For more in-depth
sensitive that cleaning methods could cause more harm than
guidance, the reader is referred to Section 2, Referenced
benefit. In such cases, natural recovery will be the preferred
Documents.
approach. In other cases, depending on the type of oil, the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
amount of oil present may be so extensive that recovery will be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the significantly delayed or not occur at all unless active interven-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tion is carried out.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2 This guide presents summary information taken from
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
API Publication 4706 and NOAA Publication Characteristic
Coastal Habitats on the relative physical and biological
2. Referenced Documents
sensitivities of shorelines and other marine habitats. It is to be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
used along with Guides F1686, F1687, and F2204 as well as
F1686 Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling
the other referenced publications to make informed decisions
Conditions on Shorelines
prior to undertaking cleaning operations.
F1687 Guide for Terminology and Indices to Describe Oil-
3.3 The relative sensitivities of shorelines and resources
ing Conditions on Shorelines
relate to a number of factors:
F2204 Guide for Describing Shoreline Response Techniques
3.3.1 Shoreline type (substrate, grain size, tidal elevation,
F2205 Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of
etc.),
Chemical Dispersants in Oil Spill Response: Tropical
3.3.2 Biological productivity, diversity and vulnerability,
Environments
3.3.3 Exposure to wave and tidal energy, and
3.3.4 Ability to conduct cleanup without undue ancillary
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee damage.
F20.17 on Shoreline Countermeasures.
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published April 2005. DOI: 10.1520/
F2464-05. Available from the American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L. Street, NW,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Washington, DC 20005–4070, www.api.org
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, Washington, 98115, http://
the ASTM website.
response.restoration.noaa.gov/oilaids/reports.html.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2464 − 05
4. Description and Relative Sensitivity of Shorelines concentrate on removing persistent oil and oily debris manu-
ally from the upper swash zone.
4.1 This section summarizes the types of shorelines and
habitats that may be impacted by an oil spill. The Environ- 4.6 Tundra Cliffs—These shorelines are found in extremely
mental Sensitivity Index (ESI) is frequently used to character- cold regions near permafrost areas. They are generally com-
ize relative sensitivity of shorelines to oil spills.Areas exposed prised of vegetation overlying peat and permafrost. The cliff
to high levels of physical energy and containing low biological height ranges from less than 1 meter to as much as 10 meters.
activity would rank low (ESI=1, example: exposed rocky The vegetation on the tundra is a living plant community that
shores).Shelteredareaswithassociatedhighbiologicalactivity is sensitive to disturbance. The main users of this shoreline are
have the highest ranking (ESI=10, example: mangroves). migratory birds during the summer season and they are most at
Broad guidelines are provided on preferred strategies for risk by oiling. Oil can be removed by sorbing with natural peat
cleaning these shorelines following an oil spill incident. from beach deposits or by manual and mechanical methods as
long as there is no damage to the peat substrate.
4.2 Exposed Rocky Shores—Also known as exposed wave-
cut cliffs.The inter-tidal zone is steep (more than 30-45º slope) 4.7 Mixed Sand and Gravel Beaches—These moderately
and narrow with little width. Access can be difficult and sloping beaches contain significant (over 25 % each) amounts
dangerous. Sediment accumulation is uncommon and usually of both sand and gravel. The high-tide berm area is usually
transitory because waves remove the debris from the eroding composed of sand and fine gravel and the lower part of the
cliffs. There is strong vertical zonation of inter-tidal biological beach is coarser with cobbles to boulders. There can be
communities. Species density and diversity vary greatly but large-scale changes in the sediment distribution patterns de-
can be abundant. Oil would generally be held offshore by pending upon season, because of the transport of sand offshore
reflection of the waves. Any oil that is deposited would be during storms. Desiccation and sediment mobility on exposed
rapidly removed naturally. Cleanup is usually not required. beaches result in low densities of attached animals and plants.
The presence of algae, mussels, and barnacles indicates
4.3 Exposed Man-made Structures—These are solid struc-
beaches that are relatively sheltered. Oil penetration into the
tures such as seawalls, piers, and port facilities. They are
beach sediments may be up to 50 cm. If the sand fraction
commonindevelopedareas,providingprotectiontoresidential
exceeds 40 %, oil behavior will be much as it is for a sand
and industrial zones. Many structures are constructed of
beach. Heavy accumulations of pooled oil should be removed
concrete, wood, stone, or metal. They are built to protect from
from upper beach faces using low-pressure flushing. All oiled
erosion by waves, boat wakes, and currents. They are exposed
debris should be removed; sediment removal should be limited
to rapid natural removal processes. Attached animals and
as much as possible. Movement of oiled sediment from
plants are sparse to moderate. Oil would be held offshore by
high-tide zones to upper inter-tidal zones can be effective in
waves reflecting off the steep, hard surfaces in exposed
areas regularly exposed to wave activity.
settings. Cleanup may not be required.
4.8 Gravel Beaches—These beaches are composed of sub-
4.4 Exposed Wave-Cut Platforms—These shores are charac-
strate ranging in size from pebbles to boulders. They can be
terized by gently sloping bedrock shelves, called platforms, of
very steep, with multiple wave-built berms forming the upper
highly variable width.Asteep scarp or low bluff may back the
beach. Density of animals and plants in the upper inter-tidal
shoreline. They often co-occur with gravel beaches. The
zone is low on exposed beaches, but can be high on sheltered
platformsurfaceisirregularandtidalpoolsarecommon.Small
gravel beaches and on the lower inter-tidal zone. Stranded oil
accumulations of gravel can be found in the tidal pools and
is likely to penetrate deeply into gravel beaches because of the
crevices in the platform. Pockets of sandy “tidal flats” can
high permeability/pore space. Heavy accumulations of pooled
occur on the platform in less exposed settings. These habitats
oil should be removed quickly from the upper beach.All oiled
can support large populations of encrusting animals and plants,
debris should be removed. Substrate removal should be limited
includingbarnacles,snails,mussels,andmacroalgae.Birdsand
as much as possible.
seals use platforms for feeding and resting during low tide. Oil
does not adhere to the wet surface, but could penetrate crevices 4.9 Riprap—Riprap is composed of cobble to boulder-sized
or sediment veneers. Cleanup may not be required. Where the blocks of granite, limestone, concrete, or other materials which
high-tide area is accessible, it may be feasible to manually are intentionally added to the marine environment for the
remove heavy oil accumulations and oiled debris. protection of shorelines. Examples are breakwaters and jetties
around inlets and marinas. Riprap is common in highly
4.5 Sand Beaches—Beaches are generally flat to moderately
developed waterfront areas. Attached biological communities
sloping and relatively hard-packed. They are commonly
vary from rich to sparse. Birds use riprap as resting sites.
backed by dunes or seawalls along exposed outer coasts.There
Persistent oil can penetrate deeply between the riprap and can
can be heavy accumulations of wrack (remnants of stranded
readily adhere to rough surfaces. High pressure ambient water
marine vegetation or wrecked ships) or other debris. Beaches
flushing may be effective for removal if the oil is fresh and
can undergo rapid erosion/deposition cycles as currents and
liquid, but the oil must be recovered. Special care must be
storms relocate the sand. Biological populations are typically
taken in cleaning riprap as personnel injuries have been often
of low density. Birds use beaches for resting, feeding, and
reported for this particular shoreline type.
nesting. Marine turtles use beaches to lay their eggs. Oil
penetration can be as much as 15 cm in fine- to medium-grain 4.10 Exposed Tidal Flats—These are broad inter-tidal areas
sand and up to 30 cm in coarse-grain sand. Cleanup should composed primarily of sand and mud and minor amounts of
F2464 − 05
gravel. Tidal currents and waves are strong enough to mobilize 4.14 Sheltered Tidal Flats—These are very low-energy
the sediment. Flats are usually associated with another shore- habitats, which support large populations of animals and
plants. The flats are important foraging areas for birds and
line type such as wetlands on the landward side, though they
nursery areas for marine organisms. Infauna are typically
can also occur as separate shoals. They are commonly associ-
abundant. Sheltered tidal flats are composed primarily of mud,
ated with estuaries and tidal inlets. Seagrass beds may occur on
silt, and clay with minor amounts of sand and shell. Tidal flats
the lower edges of tidal flats. Large numbers of infauna may be
are sheltered from major wave activity. Marshes and seagrass
present. Tidal flats are heavily used by birds for roosting and
beds may be associated with the tidal flats. The sediments are
foraging, and are rearing areas for fish and shellfish. Oil does
soft and cannot support even light foot traffic. Oil does not
not usually adhere to the surface of exposed tidal flats but will
usually adhere to the surface but rather moves across the flat
move across and accumulate at the high-tide line. Currents and
and accumulates at the high tide line. If burrows or other
waves are very effective in natural removal of the oil. Heavy
crevices in muddy sediments are present, oil can fill these and
machinery or other aggressive techniques are not recom-
impact sub-surface species. This is a high-priority protection
mended for cleanup.
area since cleanup options are limited.
4.11 Sheltered Rocky Shores and Clay Scarps—Rocky
4.15 Salt/Brackish Marshes—Marshes are inter-tidal wet-
shorelines consist of bedrock of variable slope, ranging from
lands comprised of dense, emergent, herbaceous vegetation,
vertical to wide rocky ledges, which are sheltered from most
such as Spartina grasses. Depending on location and inter-
wave and tidal energy. Species density and diversity vary
annual variations in rainfall and runoff, the vegetation can
greatly.Clayscarpsfrequentlyoccuralongbaysandman-made
include species that are tolerant to a wide range of salinities,
waterways. Clay scarps provide important nursery grounds for
including freshwater conditions. In addition to providing pro-
fish and feeding areas for birds. Clay substrate may have
tected feeding grounds, marsh vegetation helps to maintain the
numerous holes from animal burrows and root cavities. These
stability of the shoreline and prevent erosion. Sediments are
habitats should be assigned high priority when establishing
composed of organic muds except where sand is abundant on
protection zones. Oil will generally not adhere to wet surfaces
the outer exposed areas. Marshes are low energy areas rela-
such as algae-covered rock and clay sediment, so it will end up
tively sheltered from waves and strong tidal currents. Flora and
on dry, rough rock surfaces, particularly at the high-tide line. If
fauna are abundant. Marshes provide important nursery
oil is to be removed, use only low-pressure flushing of the
grounds for fish and invertebrate species. Oil will readily
rocky surfaces at high tide so that oil can be recovered before
adhere to the vegetation but heavy oiling will generally be
it can impact biologically rich areas in the lower tidal zones.
restricted to the outer fringe of thick vegetation. Light oil can
penetrate the top few centimeters of sediment but under some
4.12 Peat Shorelines—Peat shorelines are formed from
circumstances, oil can enter
...
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