Oil Fate and Vulnerability Models for Pacific Marine Ecosystems

Fisheries and Oceans Canada developed visual guides and conceptual models for oil spill response, covering nine Pacific marine ecosystems. The models illustrate oil weathering processes for Bunker C and marine diesel and assess species vulnerability on a 0-10 scale. The resources are designed to support science-based decision-making for marine pollution incidents.

Use Cases

• Analyze timelines for oil fate pathways like evaporation and biodegradation from visual guides to model spill scenarios.
• Identify highly vulnerable species subgroups scoring 7 or above in conceptual models for targeted protection planning.
• Examine key ecological components and environmental drivers like wind and wave energy in nine Pacific ecosystem models.
• Compare oil persistence and six key species impact types across different ecosystems like estuaries and fjords.

Strengths

• Developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in collaboration with species experts and the Centre for Offshore Oil, Gas and Energy Research.
• Covers nine distinct Pacific marine ecosystems, including rocky shores, pelagic regions, and fjords.
• Includes specific vulnerability scoring for species subgroups on a defined 0-10 scale.

Limitations

• Terrestrial mammals and birds are excluded due to lack of scoring data.
• Models reflect acute effects of direct oil contact, excluding indirect, food web, or cumulative impacts.
• Coverage is limited to nine of thirteen identified Pacific ecosystems.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Pacific Region Science Spill Response Program

Collection Method

Developed in collaboration with DFO species experts, DFO Emergency Response Science, and the Centre for Offshore Oil, Gas and Energy Research (COOGER).

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Pacific marine ecosystems of Canada, including rocky and soft intertidal shores, subtidal zones, pelagic regions, estuaries, and fjords.