Since the early 1970s, experts have recognized that petroleum pollutants were being discharged in marine waters worldwide, from oil spills, vessel operations, and land-based sources. Public attention to oil spills has forced improvements. Still, a considerable amount of oil is discharged yearly into sensitive coastal environments. Oil in the Sea provides the best available estimate of oil pollutant discharge into marine waters, including an evaluation of the methods for assessing petroleum load and a discussion about the concerns these loads represent. Featuring close-up looks at the Exxon Valdez spill and other notable events, the book identifies important research questions and makes recommendations for better analysis ofâ€"and more effective measures againstâ€"pollutant discharge. The book discusses: Inputâ€"where the discharges come from, including the role of two-stroke engines used on recreational craft. Behavior or fateâ€"how oil is affected by processes such as evaporation as it moves through the marine environment. Effectsâ€"what we know about the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine organisms and ecosystems. Providing a needed update on a problem of international importance, this book will be of interest to energy policy makers, industry officials and managers, engineers and researchers, and advocates for the marine environment.

Contents: (1) Background: Oil Spills (OS) in U.S. Coastal Waters; Impacts of OS in Aquatic Environ.: Acute Impacts; Chronic Impacts; Ecosystem Recovery; Econ. Costs of OS: Cleanup Costs; Natural Resources Damages; Other Econ. Costs; (2) OS Governance: Federal Authorities: Exxon Valdez OS: 1990 Oil Pollution Act; Other Fed. Laws; Internat. Conventions: MARPOL 73/78; Intervention Convention; Fed. Agencies Responsibilities: Response; Prevention and Preparedness; Fed. Funding for the OS Liab. Trust Fund: Background; Trust Fund Ceiling; Fund Projections, and Vulnerability; State Laws; (3) Threat of Future OS in U.S. Coastal Waters: Possibilities for Future OS: U.S. Oil Imports and Possible OS; Level of Preparedness. Illustrations.