|
|
|
A Digital Oil Spill Sensitivity Atlas for Mauritius using GIS
4. Discussion
The application of GIS technology has resulted in the development of an oil spill sensitivity atlas that is no longer a static product of limited usage. One of the major differences between the atlas produced by Gunlach et al. [6] and the new one is that it is now an automated information system that is capable of recording and maintaining data, readily producing relevant maps. The use of digital maps facilitates updating of available data, thus allowing spatial queries to be performed at any time. Along with a digital map, pictures and short movies have been inserted into the map to provide the responder with an idea of the shore under study. The primary motivation for making a digital oil sensitivity atlas was to identify the shoreline at risk during oil spill scenarios in conjunction with building an oil spill model for Mauritius. However, the use of the atlas is not only restricted to oil spill response and planning, but may also be applied to coastal management in a broader context. In order to facilitate the understanding of and access to the different factors at play in the oil spill combat, the atlas compiled during this study will be distributed on free to all stakeholders and easy-to-use software such as print published map files (PMF) and portable document files (PDF) which can be accessed using ESRI ArcReader and Adobe Acrobat, respectively. In addition, the facilities offered by the software mentioned above will help safeguard the accuracy of the original information thereby preventing tampering.
6. Conclusion
The new sensitivity atlas has been incorporated into ArcMap GIS format to help the oil spill responder to immediately identify the shore types and possible combat techniques. The various shore types have been visually presented using colour schemes to differentiate between them on the digital map. In this way the decision taking process during incidents requiring immediate action such as during oil spill is facilitated. In addition, some techniques for developing an oil spill sensitivity atlas utilizing GIS technologies have been discussed. The shore types were described and used to update existing sensitivity maps for Mauritius. ESI was used to outline the different types of shoreline identified so far. From thereon a sensitivity ranking has been established and indicated on the map. Methods were discussed and their high degree of accuracy confirmed.
6. Acknowledgement
This work is part of the first author’s MPhil research and the support of the Tertiary Education Commission is gratefully acknowledged.
7. References
- IPECA, (2000), Sensitivity mapping for oil spill response. IMO/IPIECA report series, Vol. 1. International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association, London.
- Halls J., Hayes M. O., Michel J. and Zengel S. (1996), “Natural resource mapping using GIS: coastal and watershed applications”. Proceedings of ESRI User Conference.
- Fisher B., Bellman C. and Ellis G. (1997), “The development of a spatio-temporal environment sensitivity index using GIS”, Reef Research. Vol. 7.
- Muskat J. (2001), “GIS applications for oil spill prevention and response in California”, Department of Fish and Game. Proceedings of ESRI User Conference.
- Petersen J., Michel J., Zengel S., White M., Lord C. and Plank C. (2002), Environmental Sensitivity Index Guidelines Version 3.0. Technical report, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Seattle, Washington.
- Gunlach E. R. and Murday M. (1987), Coastal sensitivity atlas of Mauritius for oil spill Response. Technical report, Ministry of Housing, Lands and Environment Mauritius.
- Gunlach E. R. and Hayes M. O. (1978), “Vulnerability of Coastal Environments to oil spill impacts”, Marine Technology Society Journal.
- Mosbech A., Anthonsen K. L., Blyth A., Boertmann D., Buch E., Cake D., Grøndahl L., Hansen K. Q., Kapel H., Nielsen S., Nielsen N., Von Platen F., Potter S. and Rasch M., Environmental Oil Spill Sensitivity Atlas. The Danish Energy Agency, Ministry of Environment and Energy and Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum, Government of Greenland.
- Anderson E. and Thomas R. (1998), “Oil spill modelling-effective response and contingency planning tools”, Oil Spill Response, Singapore, 1998.
- ILDHOI. Western Indian Ocean Sensitivity Maps [online]. Information sur la Lutte contre les Déversements d’Hydrocarbures dans l’Océan Indien. Available from: http://www.ildhoi.net/mauritius/ [Accessed 14 July 2005].
|
|
|