Photo by Neusa Dreckmann/ BBC
Ms. Daiana M. Costa(1), Dr. Paulina S. Riedel(1), Dr. Cenira M. L. Cunha(1), Dr. Antonio C. Zambon(2)
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
(1) São Paulo State University (UNESP) ; (2) University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX TO OIL SPILL IN FLUVIAL ENVIRONMENTS WITH THE SUPPORT OF MORPH
unesp
Brazilian Research
The present study proposes a classification system that aims to determine the environmental sensitivity to oil in several water way settings, based on the main classification system by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and by Brazilian Petroleum Corporation (Petrobras). This proposal came about because of the increasing occurrences of oil spills in continental areas, with consequent environmental damage to water ways, and because there is no broad classification system to fluvial environments, as a result of the majority of the sensitivity studies are directed towards coastal settings. Therefore, so as to have a better assessment of existing bibliographies on these systems, an analysis tool was used, which is called Human Thinking Representation Oriented Model (MORPH). It has simplified the comparison of many interdependent variables, which has made it possible to identify the fundamental physical parameters used to determine the main environments that make up the classification system, like for instance: type and nature of the substrate, hydrodynamic effect, river slopping features, depositional system surfaces, and vegetation presence. Based on these parameters and on the existing classification systems, some features were selected to make up one system, which was named the Fluvial Sensitivity Index (FSI), like for instance: rocky shores, artificial structures, beaches, muddy substrate banks, point-bars, natural dikes, vegetated shores and floodplains associated with vegetation. The FSI relates the physical characteristics that directly influence the natural persistence, in the dispersion and in the cleanup and/or removal of oil conditions, which is directly reflected on the impact level. It is therefore concluded that the used analysis tool (MORPH) proved to be an important support to the establishment of an environmental sensitivity index to oil in fluvial environment, as it allowed a thorough investigation of the bibliographies.
ABSTRACT MOTIVATION
Graph 1. Main location of oil spill reported in Brazil (2006 -2013)
39%
13% 12% 9%
9%
6% 6% 4% 2%
Roads Industry Oil Platform Boats Railroad Pipeline Storage Ports Fuel Station
Brazil has one of the most extensive and diverse river networks in the world that are intercepted by the main modes of hydrocarbons transportation (highways, railways, pipelines and waterways).
Graph 2. Main habitats affected by oil spill in Brazil (2006 – 2012)
28%
23% 21%
21%
4% 2% 1%
Air Soil
River Ocean
Lake Beach
Groundwater
In 2012, it was reported 264,000 gallons of oil spilled in Brazil. Graph 2 shows the main habitats contaminated by oil spill. Environmental accidents with consequent damage to rivers totaled 21%, the same percentage of accidents in the Oceans.
OBJECTIVES
Analysis and comparison of classification
systems for water ways with the
support of MORPH tool
List the fundamental
physical aspects of fluvial
sensitivity
Propose a embracing
classification system, called
Fluvial Sensitivity Index (FSI)
In order
to
Steps of the research process
METHODS
Guide Question
1
keywords
2
Find papers
3
Select papers
4
MORPH 5
Parameters and Habitats
7
Physical aspects
6
Frame 8
Paper analysis 9
Fluvial Sensitivity Index
10
defined
helped
helped
application
identified
identified
knowledge representation
defined
helped
helped
What is MORPH?
The Human Thinking Representation Oriented Model is a tool initially developed for Social Sciences with the purpose of representing the expert knowledge contained in papers or interviews through a frame.
The Model is based on concepts of System Dynamics (SD), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Semiotics and Cognitive Psychology.
Therefore MORPH consists of a set of rules to assist knowledge representation in frames that provide a summarized overview of paper contents or interviews, allowing a retelling without consulting the paper again in full. Through the frame it is also possible a diagnosis of a situation you want to understand and to convey this knowledge back to the experts.
Expert
Rules of MORPH
P Structure Model (Frame MORPH)
Interpretation
Elicitation/ Acquisition Representation
Diagnostic
knowledge
Knowledge Acquisition
Process
Start
In order
to
GUIDE QUESTION
What are the physical aspects used to evaluate the Environmental Sensitivity to
Oil in fluvial streams?
RESULTS
The sensitivity rating of river habitats is the delimitation of features found in the course river according to their physical characteristics, patterns of sediment transport, natural persistence of oil and cleanup conditions and / or oil removal. These characteristics prior to an oil accident are very important. Therefore the FSI consider each habitat dynamics, the oil behavior and cleanup difficulties.
Considering these characteristics and with the support of MORPH tool, five key physical parameters were selected to establish the environmental sensitivity index:
• type and nature of the substrate;
• hydrodynamic effect
• river slopping features
• depositional system surfaces
• vegetation presence
Based on the physical parameters and the classification systems used by NOAA and Petrobras eight major habitats were selected to compose the Fluvial Sensitivity Index (FSI):
• rocky shores • artificial structures • beaches • muddy substrate banks • point-bars
• natural levees • vegetated shores • floodplains associated
with vegetation
FSI Habitat
1
Exposed impermeable rocky shore, high and average slope (massive rocks: metamorphic and igneous )
Exposed solid man-made structures , high and average slope (walls, bridges, piers, ramps, port facilities and others of concrete, wood or metal)
2 Exposed permeable rocky shore, high and average slope (igneous rocks and metamorphic with
porosity of fractures, fissures or crazing) Sills with waterfalls
3 Sills with fast and rapids Eroding baks with alluvial terraces
4 Eroding baks with slopes
Sand beaches: Erosional or Transitory
5 Coarse sand beaches : Erosional or Transitory
Mixed sand and gravel beaches: Erosional or Transitory
Sand beaches: Depositional
6
Exposed impermeable rocky shore, low slope (massive rocks: metamorphic and igneous )
Exposed permeable rocky shore, low slope (igneous rocks and metamorphic with porosity of fractures, fissures or crazing)
Exposed boulder shore
Exposed solid man-made structures (Riprap)
Pebble beaches: Erosional or Transitory
Coarse sand beaches : Depositional
7
Sheltered solid man-made structures (walls, bridges, piers, ramps, port facilities and others of concrete, wood or metal)
Sheltered impermeable rocky shore, low slope (massive rocks: metamorphic and igneous )
Mixed sand and gravel beaches: Depositional
Pebble beaches: Depositional
Fluvial islands
8
Sheltered permeable rocky shore, high and average slope (igneous rocks and metamorphic with porosity of fractures, fissures or crazing)
Sheltered permeable rocky shore, low slope (igneous rocks and metamorphic with porosity of fractures, fissures or crazing)
Sheltered boulder shore
9
Sheltered permeable rocky shore (sedimentary rocks with karstic porosity and dissolution features)
Natural levees followed by terraces or slopes
Natural levees followed by floodplain
Point bar deposits
Flooded point bar deposits
Confluence with coalesced floodplains
Muddy substrates low banks
10
Riparian vegetation
Oxbow lakes
Lakes meander
Vegetated low banks
Floodplains with lake
Floodplains with grassy vegetation
Floodplains with herbaceous vegetation
Floodplains with scrub vegetation
Floodplains with woody vegetation
Proposed Fluvial Sensitivity Index (FSI)
CONCLUSIONS
This research can contribute to:
• The establishment of a broader classification system to meet the main river habitats in hot and humid climates;
• The inclusion of habitats not considered in the papers analyzed as: nature of rocky shores, considering the genetic classification of rocks associated with porosity; depositional facies of meandering systems (natural levees, point bars, oxbow lakes and floodplains);
• The development of oil spill sensitivity maps in fluvial environment, subsiding the oil spill contingency plan and the recovery of the affected habitats.
Other considerations:
• Because it is a proposal that combines the habitats found in North American rivers, Amazonian rivers and meandering depositional systems, the FSI can applied in the climatic zones showed below
• For extreme climates (tropical dry, hot desert and cold weather) it must be adapted;
• The FSI can be improved to meet other habitats not covered in the research.
Equator
Temperate climate
Tropic of Capricorn
Artic Circle
Artic Circle
Tropic of Cancer
Temperate climate
Tropical Climate
Tropical Climate
Equatorial Climate
RESULTS (continuation)
REFERENCES D. M. Costa. 2014. Estabelecimento de um Índice de Sensibilidade Ambiental ao Óleo em Ambientes Fluviais, com o suporte da ferrramenta MORPH [dissertation]. Rio Claro (SP): São Paulo State University.
M. F. Ferreira, A. C. Beaumord. 2008. Mapeamento de sensibilidade ambiental a derrames de óleo nos cursos de água da bacia do rio Canhanduba, Itajaí, SC. Brazilian Journal of Aquatic Science and Technology; 12 (2): 61-72.
J. Michel, M. O. Hayes, J. A. Dahlin, and K. Barton. 1994. Sensitivity Mapping of Inland Areas: Technical Support to the Inland Area Planning Committee Working Group USEPA Regin 5. HAZMAT Report 95-4. Seattle, Washington, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment Division, Office Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment, 54 pp + appendix.
Hayes, M. O.; Michel, J.; Montello, T. M. 1997. The reach sensitivity index (RSI) for mapping rivers and streams. In: International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings: 1997 (1): 343-350. doi: http://ioscproceedings.org/doi/pdf/10.7901/2169-3358-1997-1-343
Araujo, S. I.; Silva, G. H.; Muehe, D. Mapas de sensibilidade ambiental a derramamentos de óleo: Ambientes costeiros, estuarinos e fluviais. Rio de Janeiro: Petrobras; 2006
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CAPES - Higher Education Personnel Training Coordination
UNESP - São Paulo State University
Ms. Fabiana Marques Costa
Ms. Arthur Wieczoreck
CONTACT
Daiana Marques Costa
Geographer, Master in Geosciences & Environmental
Email: [email protected] Mob.: + 55 (19) 9 8116 0623
Skype: daiana_m_c