Tier I dispersant monitoring: visual observation field guide
This short field guide is designed for responders using dispersants to combat oil spills at sea. It provides a qualitative approach to assess the effectiveness of dispersant application through visual observation. The guide includes safety considerations, key environmental variables, and cues that indicate whether the dispersant is effectively breaking up surface oil slicks.
Monitoring helps determine:
- Whether the dispersant was applied at the correct dosage and in the right location
- If the dispersant is visibly effective at dispersing surface oil
- What information needs to be shared with decision-makers to support strategy adjustments
