Incorporation of carcinogens into aquatic
in insulative properties of the fur. Mortal-
food chain and human food resources.
ity can also be caused by ingestion.
Oil and greases could have a devastating ef-
fect upon waterfowl as well as upon life within
Existing contingency plans
the water; the problems for waterfowl are com-
A comprehensive review of the existing con-
pounded by low water temperatures. Therefore,
tingency plans has been published (Nicholson and
of the living resources, waterfowl appear to be
Dixon 1979). The contingency plans for cleaning
potentially the most vulnerable to the effects of
up oil spills in the Great Lakes exist on the inter-
an oil spillage. However, few waterfowl are present
national (joint CanadaUnited States), national,
during the extended season navigation period
regional, subregional and state levels. The U.S.
except on the Detroit River (Davis and Erwin 1982).
plan was developed by the Council on Environ-
The specific impacts of spills on the fresh-
mental Quality, the regional and subregional plans
water environment have been summarized
by the U.S. Coast Guard, and the state plans by
based on laboratory and field studies and on
the individual state agencies responsible for natu-
observations during four actual spills (Baca et
ral resources. Generally all the plans detailed the
al. 1986). None of the observed spills were in
five cleanup phases of discovery and notification;
the Great Lakes. The impacts were summarized
evaluation and initiation of action; containment
as follows:
and countermeasures; cleanup, mitigation and dis-
Algae. Phytoplankton was relatively unaf-
posal; and documentation and cost recovery
fected by spilled oil except in certain labo-
(Nicholson and Dixon 1979). However, very few
ratory cultures and in exposures to certain
of the plans contained any winter cleanup infor-
components of oils. Filamentous and benthic
mation, the exceptions being the Coast Guard
algae showed some impacts but were gen-
subregional plan for Sault Ste. Marie and the New
erally resistant or recovered quickly. Blue-
York plan.
green algae frequently increased following
spills.
Response capabilities
Macrophyte vegetation. Submerged species
and recovery techniques
or the submerged portions of emergent spe-
The Coast Guard has developed a number of
cies were generally not impacted. However,
contingency plans for spill cleanup and contain-
emergent species or those at the edge of the
ment. The response time is said to be on the or-
water (typically marsh) were affected or
der of a few hours, and equipment is available
killed by surface oiling.
for various types of oil spills. A good description
Invertebrates. Results of laboratory studies
of the organizational structure of the response ca-
established toxicity levels, but impacts in real
pabilities for the Great Lakes is available (USACE
spills have been minimal or short-lived. The
1979a). However, the presence of ice and cold
most impacted groups have been insects
weather may seriously hamper all major phases
moving at the air/water interface.
of oil spill mitigation. As no major spill has re-
Fish. Toxicity studies have established lev-
sulted from winter navigation, there is no practi-
els, and field experience shows serious im-
cal experience available to guide us in assessing
pacts caused by spills in some cases. Lar-
the extent to which cold weather and ice will se-
vae and fry have generally been more sen-
riously interfere with recovery operations. The
sitive than adults. Tainting of flesh in adults
only recourse at this point seems to be to gather
is another impact. Oiling of lines and gear
all information on oil spill recovery from other
and impacts on ice fishing are other factors
locations (such as the Arctic) and through labo-
to consider relative to fisheries.
ratory and controlled field experiments, and sug-
Birds. Historically the most noticeable im-
gest how this may be relevant to the season ex-
pacts have been on this group. Toxic effects
tension program.
can be through ingestion, absorption or trans-
Several good summaries of techniques of win-
fer to eggs and chicks. Surficial oiling has
tertime oil recovery are available (USCG 1973,
been most deleterious, causing problems
Nicholson and Dixon 1979, USACE 1979a). These
with heat regulation and buoyancy.
summaries divide the techniques into responses
Mammals. Similar to birds, impacts are re-
for spills in water, on ice or under ice. Generally
lated to surface oiling, which causes a loss
spills in water are handled if possible with the
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