Situation Briefing: May 14th 2013

Kelsey Wallach
Disaster Science: Marine Oil Spills
Due: April 16, 2012

The collision of an oil freighter and two tugs 70 km off the southeast coast of
Florida spills approximately 253,000 gallons of Heavy Fuel Oil into the Atlantic
Ocean. As the oil moves towards the shoreline much of it sinks creating tar mats
that lie about 12 km from the coast. 24 km of sandy beaches are oiled, 18 km of
which are acknowledged nesting beaches of loggerhead turtles. Heavy storms are
forecasted for the following two weeks.
Evaluated Risks of May 14th spill to Loggerhead Turtles:
This spill poses multiple hazards to Loggerhead turtles. Nesting season for
these marine reptiles is from April to September, with a peak in June and July.
Therefore this spill will have effects on already laid eggs, mothers coming to shore
to nest, as well as the eggs that have yet to be laid.
The contamination of the nests with fresh oil will have detrimental effects of
the eggs-mortality rates will be high and developmental disorders will most likely be
seen in those hatchlings that survive. The forecasted storms will most likely push
oil deposits further up the beaches as well as cause sunken oil to rise to the surface
and form tar balls and oil slicks. This second exposure to the oil will have less of an
immediate effect on the buried eggs as weathered oil has been proven to be slightly
less toxic to the development of turtle eggs. However this second oiling will only
exacerbate the potential of the oil smothering the nests which can affect gas
exchange, moisture levels, and nest temperature. The effects on nest temperature
could have a skewing influence on the gender distribution of the loggerhead turtle
population. The oil on the sand could also potentially coat female loggerheads that
beach to nest or else deter them from nesting in the following peak nesting months,
which would have detrimental effects on the loggerhead population.
The formation of tar balls and oil slicks poses a serious threat to the
hatchlings as well as juvenile and adult Loggerhead turtles. Hatchlings are just as
much at risk to the effects of the condensed oil but because of their size and their
tendency to swim at the waters surface they are much more vulnerable. Tar balls
are often mistaken as food by turtles and consumed which can result in lethal
poisoning or starvation from blocked beaks and esophagi. Adult turtles, who often
submerge for long periods of time, are vulnerable to extended physical exposure to
oil and its vapors as they rapidly inhale large volumes of air pre-dive. All life stages
of the loggerhead turtle also risk consuming contaminated prey.
It is important to note that even if a turtle is not subjected to the direct
effects of the oil-say a male loggerhead that does not go near the oiled beach or
consume a tarball-they may still be affected by continuous low-level exposure. Tar
balls, oil slicks, and elevated background concentrations of oil all have the potential
to reduce fitness and make the turtles more vulnerable to predation and other
stressors.
Recommended Response:
The response to the May 14th oil spill will be more difficult than a standard
response as the vulnerability of loggerhead turtle eggs and hatchlings must be
taken into account. On the beach no heavy machinery or mechanical tools that have

the potential to destroy nests can be used. Response teams must be doubly aware
of their own actions and movements to avoid accidentally crushing nests and eggs.
The sand should be disturbed as little as possible to avoid changing the beach
profile, which could confuse female loggerhead turtle that come to nest in the
future. Compacting the sand also can make it more difficult for hatchlings to dig to
the surface from their nests. Detergents must be non-toxic to the eggs to avoid
exacerbating developmental defects. Absorbent booms and pads should be used to
collect and hold oil until workers can remove it for disposal.
Oil within the water should be collected as quickly as possible through the
use of skimmers and booms. Dispersants should be used sparingly, as they have
been shown to have some negative effects on marine organisms. Response teams
and ecological experts should monitor the beach and surrounding waters for the
next 5-6 weeks to report, record, and treat any turtles that have been adversely
affected by the oil.