HACKENSACK ESTUARY OIL SPILL: CUTTING OIL-SOAKED MARSH GRASSES AS AN INNOVATIVE DAMAGE CONTROL TECHNIQUE

In May 1976, a 2,000,000-gal oil spill, originating at a riverside tank farm, struck the Hackensack River estuary. Booms failed and the oil moved upriver, coating shores, marshes, creck banks, bulkheads, marinas, and the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area. Hydrology research in velocity and water distribution patterns provided forecasts of slick movement. Search for corrective measures and the advice of a network of scientists led to implementation of an innovative grass-cutting technology. Analysis from the current 5-mo perspective indicates the advisability of a quickly implemented cutting operation where tidal flushing is poor, and the high potential for natural cleansing where oil has reached low-lying, well-washed marsh areas.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • From the 1977 Oil Spill Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 8-10, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Petroleum Institute

  1220 L Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20005-4070
• Authors:
  • Mattson, C P
  • Vallario, N C
  • Smith, D J
• Conference:
  • From the 1977 Oil Spill Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 8-10, 1977.
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 243-246

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Estuaries; Impacts; Loss and damage; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills; Water pollution
• Old TRIS Terms: Damage control; Estuarine pollution; Oil spill behavior; Oil spill control; Oil spill impact
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00177071
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Pollution Abstracts
• Report/Paper Numbers: Publication 4284
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 1978 12:00AM