A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY OF MACHIAS BAY, MAINE TO OIL SUPERTANKERS

The object of the report was to determine the environmental vulnerability of Machias Bay, Maine, to a proposed oil supertanker terminal. The study consists of a review and interpretation of the literature. A possible framework is proposed for assessing impacts of environmental changes. Processes considered are transport and dispersion, biological transfers and modifications, and biological effects. Separate consideration is given to a description of existing conditions along the eastern coast of Maine, the composition and characteristics of crude petroleum and petroleum products, the effects of oil on marine organisms, potential spill trajectories and behavior, and finally an assessment is made of the environmental vulnerability.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Sea Grant Program, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Moore, S F
  • Dwyer, R L
  • Katz, A M
• Publication Date: 1973-1-15

Media Info

• Pagination: 171 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animals; Chemical composition; Climate; Coasts; Deepwater harbors; Ecology; Environment; Environmental impacts; Geomorphology; Habitat (Ecology); Hydrocarbons; Marine biology; Marine terminals; Oil spills; Oils; Plants; Surveys; Tankers; Water pollution; Water quality management
• Identifier Terms: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Geographic Terms: Maine
• Old TRIS Terms: Environmental surveys; Machias bay; Oil spill behavior; Oil spreading process; Tanker ships; Water pollution effects animals; Water pollution effects plants
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00046589
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: MITSG-73-6
• Contract Numbers: NOAA-2-35150
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1973 12:00AM