The Role of the MMO

Nick Greenwood – Marine Pollution Response Manager

Whoweare

The MMO are an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB).

We are a cross-government delivery body

We were established under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Tochampionsustainabledevelopmentinthemarineenvironment....• Fisheries licensing• Wildlife licensing• Marine Deposits Licensing (inc offshore renewables)• Marine Planning• Marine Conservation Zones• Marine knowledge & data “Hub”• Marine Emergencies

MMOMarinePollu-onResponse:HQVsCoast

HQ Roles

•Give/withhold approval to use OSTP during incident out to 1nm seaward of 20m depth contour

•Administer OSTP approval scheme

•Consultee for marine pollution contingency plans

•FEPA licences for response activities

•Marine Pollution Incident Information Portal

Coastal Roles

•Member of Standing Environment Group

•Provide environmental advice in case of request to use OSTP

•Communicate with fishers in case of pollution incident

Oil Spill Treatment Products

Dispersants (Type I, II & III)

Sorbents

Bioremediation

Surface cleaners

Misc....

Approval to use OSTP

...MMO give/Withhold approval for use of OSTP Within One hour of the initial request....

...this requires rapid & reliable communication networks!

POLREP/PON1/Phonecall

NE/CCW/JNCC

NE/CCW/JNCC

MMOCoast

CefasCefas

MMOSLT&Press

SOSREP

FSA

DefraMarine

LA,EA,Port,others...

WAG*

MMOHQ

Within 1nm seaward of the 20m depth contour....

Approval to use dispersants

• Sensitive environmental features on:– Sea surface– Shoreline– Seabed

• Depth• Tide & currents• Oil type & weathering• Mixing energy

Dispersants... toxic?

“noexampleshavebeenfoundoflong‐termimpactsresul8ngfromtheuseofsecondorthirdgenera8ondispersants“–(Moore2006)

“Theuseofchemicaldispersantso;enarousesopposi8on,becauseitisthoughttobe"toxic."Therealproblemiscausedbythereleaseofthecrude'stoxicity,asthedropletsofdispersedoilexposeagreatersurfaceareatothesea.”–(Perry1995)

TheUKapprovalschemedoesnotapproveoilspilltreatmentproductsthat,whenmixedwithoil,showsignificantlyincreasedtoxicityincomparisontotheoilalone.

OilSpillTreatmentProductApprovalScheme

• MMO maintain the UK approved list of OSTP• Several kinds of products: Dispersants, Sorbents, Bioremediation,

etc...• All products must pass two toxicity tests – “Rocky shore” & “Sea”

tests• Dispersants must also pass efficacy testing• Bioremediation products must pass additional toxicity testing

Only products manufactured whilst their approval is valid can be considered for use in UK waters

Dispersant Efficacy Testing

Rotating flask test WSL LR 448

Test oils characteristics: 1. Dynamic viscosity @ 10°C: 1800-2200 mPa s 2. Dynamic viscosity @ 10°C: 450 to 550 mPa s

Oil + dispersant in seawater.2 min rotation, 1 min settle.50ml of oily water run out through bottom tap.Remaining volume of oil indicates success of dispersion

Rocky Shore Test

Dispersant vs Oil

Test organism: Patella vulgata, the Common Limpet

Test oil: Kuwait Crude

Oil/OSTP sprayed onto test plate on which limpets are mounted.

Test is passed if dispersant doesn’t cause significantly more mortality (measured by loss of adhesion) than oil.

Sea Test

Dispersant vs oil + dispersant

Test organism: Crangon crangon, the Brown Shrimp

Test oil: Kuwait Crude

Oil/oil & OSTP added to tankcontianing shrimp with, mixing energy added.

Test is passed if dispersant + oil doesn’t cause significantly more mortality than oil alone.

Bioremediation testsEfficacy:

1. Flask test and2. Microcosm test

Toxicity (agitation test):

1. Crangon crangon Brown Shrimp and2. Agonus cataphractus Armoured Bullhead

Corexit9500&9572(&ChemkleenOSDAJSA)

•Since 1996 all products must pass BOTH toxicity tests

•Corexit 9500 & 9572 & Chemkleen OSDA JSA were removed from the approved list in 1998.

•Stocks predating the 1998 removal may still be used under certain conditions

2011 Approval Scheme Review

• Regular “fit for purpose” review

• Given switch to MMO, and globally significant incident, is UK scheme still relevant?

• Issues: Dispersants to treat heavy fuel oils, phototoxicity, status of old stocks, fee structure, European harmonisation, etc..

UK PLC Response to Marine Pollution

Marine Pollution Incident

Any Questions?

nicholas.greenwood@marinemanagement.org