Oil Spills in Arctic Waters: An Inventory of Research Efforts

This book is a compilation of research on oil spills in ice-covered Arctic waters and recommendations for future work. Research entities in governmental, nongovernmental, industrial, and private organizations are identified. An introduction to the topic is provided. In this book, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) recommended to the federal government an invigorated oil spill research effort in the Arctic and a funding strategy that did not require new fiscal appropriation. Considering the potential for increased energy exploration and production in deeper, offshore waters, as well as an anticipated escalation in shipping in a rapidly evolving marine environment, the risks of oil spills remain a real and growing challenge. In developing these recommendations, USARC worked closely with the federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (ICCOPR), stakeholders, and the public.