How much oil from the Exxon Valdez spill remains on the shorelines of Prince William Sound?
Considering that nearly 11 million gallons escaped from the tanker, and that large quantities eventually fouled shorelines in the sound and elsewhere, very little remains (as reflected in the graph below). Observed maximum surface oiling at eight NOAA study sites in Prince William Sound, 1989-1997. Values in mean percent cover. Apparent increase in 1991 is attributable to unearthing of buried oil by heavy equipment, “berm relocation,” used as a remedial technique that year. However, oily vestiges of the spill can still be found on some beaches. Some places are still contaminated enough to raise the concerns of residents in Prince William Sound and the decision-makers who oversee spill restoration activities. In the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monitoring program, we see a wide range of oiling conditions at our study sites: • No oil can be seen or measured on some beaches, either on the surface or below. • At other beaches, we can find signs of weathered oil on
