The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in March 1989, was the largest crude spill to date in US waters. It prompted many studies on the fate, transport, and effects of the oil on biota in Alaskan waters, as well as on archaeological sites.
This site consists of research paper abstracts presented at an ASTM Symposium in April 1993. The introductory chapter summarizes topics and highlights of those papers, covering chemistry and fate, shoreline impacts, effects on fish, fisheries and wildlife, and impacts on archaeological sites, and it discusses some of the issues arising from the study of this spill. For instructions on ordering the complete text of these papers, click here .
Introduction
1. Introduction, Overview, Issues
Chemistry and Fate of the Spill
Shoreline Impacts of the Spill
4. Shoreline Oiling Conditions In Prince William Sound Following The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
7. Shoreline Impacts In The Gulf Of Alaska Region Following The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Additional Information
In addition to these abstracts, the following sites provide useful information on the effects of oil spills on the environment:
- Oil Spill Public Information Center
Detailed information on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. - University of Idaho
Oil spill effects on Salmon populations. - Colorado State University Biology Department
Effects on avian population and recovery. - Aurthur D. Little - Environmental, Health, and Safety Consulting group.
More information on environmental chemistry. - Battelle Ocean Sciences Lab
More on marine chemistry and toxicology following oil spills. - American Petroleum Institute
Papers related to petroleum industry and the evironment. - University of Michigan
More on toxicology and oil spills. - Brigham Young University
Oil spill effects on Bald Eagle populations.
Book Ordering Information
Click here to order the ASTM textbook which contains the full text of these papers.