Resolving Alaska and West Coast oil dispersant issues

Agencies and spill responders are currently deliberating about the efficacy of pre-approving the use of dispersants to treat oil slicks in nearshore and shallow waters of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska. The decisions rest on understanding the effectiveness of dispersant operations, the long-term fate and effects of dispersed oil, and the effects of oil slicks and shoreline oiling on critical fisheries and marine species. Processes and knowledge leading to this critical decision point are briefly reviewed.