Response in mangroves

An oil spill in a mangrove can have detrimental effects whose intensity and duration will vary according to a number of factors: the type and quantity of oil spilt, the diversity and sensitivity of plant and animal species and communities affected, the fragility of resources and activities, but also the quality of the actions implemented to respond to the spill and mitigate the damage caused.

Response in these highly sensitive and very often hostile environments deserves special attention given that: it can cause harmful effects on the environment, sometimes even more so than the spill itself. Furthermore responders are required to work in a hostile environment in which the environmental constraints mean difficult, or even arduous, working conditions, and sometimes hazardous situations.

The aim of this guide is two-fold: to mitigate the negative impacts of the spill and the response on the mangrove environment and to facilitate the response and ensure greater responder safety and less arduous working and
living conditions.

This guide presents the main aspects to be aware of and considered for response or to decide not to respond. It draws upon a literature review and Cedre's experience in spill response in mangroves. The specificities of mangroves as well as those of the oil spilt in the environment are presented. The broad principles of response in mangroves are outlined and the guide also includes practical datasheets detailing the implementation of specific techniques.

Table of contents

A. PREPAREDNESS - RESPONSE PLAN

A.1 - What are mangroves?
A.2 - Highly varied formations and evolving environments
A.3 - Heterogeneous vegetation suited to environmental constraints
A.4 - A wide range of fauna
A.5 - Fragile environments with high ecological value
A.6 - Behaviour of oil spilt in mangroves
A.7 - Fate of spilt oil
A.8 - Impact of spilt oil
A.9 - Defining priorities before a spill occurs

B. SITUATION ASSESSMENT 

B.1 - Methodology
B.2 - Response strategies in mangroves

C. RESPONSE - WHAT TO DO IF THE MANGROVE IS AT THREAT

C.1 - Assessing the threat
C.2 - Assessing the risks related to response at sea
C.3 - Determining priority response areas
C.4 - Leave alone
C.5 - Protecting sensitive sites
C.6 - Recovering the oil on the water, in front of the mangrove
C.7 - Chemically dispersing the oil

D. RESPONSE - WHAT TO DO IF THE MANGROVE IS AFFECTED

D.1 - Assessing the situation
D.2 - Determining priority response areas and defining appropriate techniques
D.3 - Leave alone
D.4 - Protecting the mangrove from the edge
D.5 - Recovering floating oil at the edge of the mangrove
D.6 - Organising the overall response
D.7 - Ensuring responder safety
D.8 - Channelling the oil within the mangrove
D.9 - Scything and cutting vegetation in a reasoned manner
D.10 - Facilitating responder movements within the mangrove
D.11 - Filtering at the surface within the mangrove
D.12 - Setting up containment systems within the mangrove
D.13 - Selectively recovering the oil within the mangrove
D.14 - Cleaning emerged substrates
D.15 - Cleaning vegetation
D.16 - Managing recovered waste
D.17 - Practical datasheets

E. FURTHER INFORMATION

E.1 - Glossary and acronyms
E.2 - Bibliography