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Marine pollution by oil: characterization of pollutants
k~ater Research Vol. lO. pp IS3 to I~d Pergamon Pr,.',~, 1'47~, Printed in Great Britain.
BOOK REVIEWS Pollution Criteria for Estuaries. Edited b.v P. R. HelliweU and J. Bossanger. Pentech Press. London. February 1975. pp, 316. £10.95. The title of this book leads the reader to believe that pollution criteria are the main topics for discussion but in point of fact the title is that of a conference held in Southampton (U.K.) in 1973. The editors point out in the first paragraph on the book cover, however, that no criteria emerged. Subjects of all kinds were described in interesting papers and discussed in great detail: potential hazards from shellfish grown in polluted waters; descriptive biological and chemical papers dealing with the conditions of various estuaries; tidal conditions in estuaries; monitoring techniques; sedimentary processes and planning objectives in relation to pollution. Since there is not one paper that deals specifically with the subject of pollution criteria it is a pity that a more appropriate title accurately describing the contents of the book could not have been found. The objectives of the work described by the authors of the varied papers emerge as practical solutions to existing problems or as studies carried out to provide data to make such solutions possible. If any of the authors set out with the intention of studying the conditions that were necessary to meet certain well defined objectives or criteria these intentions have not been stated, although the authors were repeatedly invited to do so by discussors. One must conclude that the engineers, public health officials, research workers and members of local authorities attending this conference were not particularly concerned in expressing their requirements for estuaries or coastal waters in terms that an engineer would regard as design criteria, although
Marine Pollution by Oil : Characterization of Pollutants. Institute of Petroleum Applied Science, Barking. Essex. pp. ix & 198, 1974, £8.00 This timely volume is produced by the Institute of Petroleum Oil Pollution Analysis Committee in close liaison with the American Society for Testing Materials and the Deutsche Gesellschaft MineriSlwissenschaft und KohleChemie. It is concerned with the characterization of pollutant oils in the marine environment, with particular reference to sampling, analysis and the interpretation of the analytical results. Individual chapters review the types of pollutant encountered, the effect of weathering on petroleum oils, sample collections, storage, transportation and preparation for analysis and a recommended scheme for analysis (presented diagramatically). The full text of thirteen Institute of Petroleum methods of analysis, selected from the 34th edition of/.P. Standards for Petroleum and Its Products with the interests of ecologists, conservationists, biologists etc in mind, is then reproduced in full and is followed by a 25 page chapter giving guidance on
183
it is evident that they regarded absence of odour and visible signs of sewage, clean beaches and unpolluted sea water as desirable requirements. The only paper that came near to the subject of the conference was one by J. F. Barrow in a discussion on planning and pollution. This resolved itself into a consideration of policies that should be adopted in the development of communities in coastal areas and led him to the conclusion that drainage and sewage disposal facilities had to be available as housing development was permitted, that industrial development resulting in the production of effluents should only be allowed if the effluents could be dealt with adequately and that in any case this type of development had to satisfy all other environmental requirements before it could be accepted. Although many interesting papers were given, particularly by J. R. Newton on the detection of odours and slicks from sewage, and Covill's on the chemical and biological conditions in a large estuary, the apparent failure of the conference to elicit or discuss criteria for controlling pollution in estuaries shows that the description of existing conditions and practical solutions to existing problems arouse greater interest than the exact definition of the conditions which the solutions are intended to attain. Clearly, specific standards and criteria are subjects for discussion by experts, not lbr general conferences. Nevertheless. policy makers may take the view that any criteria they apply to coastal waters must harmonise all the various uses that are made of such waters and that the numeration of water quality criteria for one purpose may restrict its use for another, equally desirable use. S. H . JENKINS
interpretation and identification. There is also a short chapter on sample reference materials and a 7-page glossary of terms ranging from "accidental discharge" and "'additives" to "'white oil". The volume is essentially practical in character and whilst it could not be expected to give full guidance to the novice to the analytical bench will be welcomed by practising analysts who are concerned with environmental quality. There are, as is indicated, limitations to the extent to which interpretations can be made: the more precise the identification ofa satmple of unknown provenance, the more difficult this can be. But in addition to giving a good insight into marine pollution aspects the volume provides a suitable opening for those not already familiar with methodology in the field of petroleum technology to the complexities of the position and the practical basis by which this can be approached. H. EGAN
BOOK REVIEWS Pollution Criteria for Estuaries. Edited b.v P. R. HelliweU and J. Bossanger. Pentech Press. London. February 1975. pp, 316. £10.95. The title of this book leads the reader to believe that pollution criteria are the main topics for discussion but in point of fact the title is that of a conference held in Southampton (U.K.) in 1973. The editors point out in the first paragraph on the book cover, however, that no criteria emerged. Subjects of all kinds were described in interesting papers and discussed in great detail: potential hazards from shellfish grown in polluted waters; descriptive biological and chemical papers dealing with the conditions of various estuaries; tidal conditions in estuaries; monitoring techniques; sedimentary processes and planning objectives in relation to pollution. Since there is not one paper that deals specifically with the subject of pollution criteria it is a pity that a more appropriate title accurately describing the contents of the book could not have been found. The objectives of the work described by the authors of the varied papers emerge as practical solutions to existing problems or as studies carried out to provide data to make such solutions possible. If any of the authors set out with the intention of studying the conditions that were necessary to meet certain well defined objectives or criteria these intentions have not been stated, although the authors were repeatedly invited to do so by discussors. One must conclude that the engineers, public health officials, research workers and members of local authorities attending this conference were not particularly concerned in expressing their requirements for estuaries or coastal waters in terms that an engineer would regard as design criteria, although
Marine Pollution by Oil : Characterization of Pollutants. Institute of Petroleum Applied Science, Barking. Essex. pp. ix & 198, 1974, £8.00 This timely volume is produced by the Institute of Petroleum Oil Pollution Analysis Committee in close liaison with the American Society for Testing Materials and the Deutsche Gesellschaft MineriSlwissenschaft und KohleChemie. It is concerned with the characterization of pollutant oils in the marine environment, with particular reference to sampling, analysis and the interpretation of the analytical results. Individual chapters review the types of pollutant encountered, the effect of weathering on petroleum oils, sample collections, storage, transportation and preparation for analysis and a recommended scheme for analysis (presented diagramatically). The full text of thirteen Institute of Petroleum methods of analysis, selected from the 34th edition of/.P. Standards for Petroleum and Its Products with the interests of ecologists, conservationists, biologists etc in mind, is then reproduced in full and is followed by a 25 page chapter giving guidance on
183
it is evident that they regarded absence of odour and visible signs of sewage, clean beaches and unpolluted sea water as desirable requirements. The only paper that came near to the subject of the conference was one by J. F. Barrow in a discussion on planning and pollution. This resolved itself into a consideration of policies that should be adopted in the development of communities in coastal areas and led him to the conclusion that drainage and sewage disposal facilities had to be available as housing development was permitted, that industrial development resulting in the production of effluents should only be allowed if the effluents could be dealt with adequately and that in any case this type of development had to satisfy all other environmental requirements before it could be accepted. Although many interesting papers were given, particularly by J. R. Newton on the detection of odours and slicks from sewage, and Covill's on the chemical and biological conditions in a large estuary, the apparent failure of the conference to elicit or discuss criteria for controlling pollution in estuaries shows that the description of existing conditions and practical solutions to existing problems arouse greater interest than the exact definition of the conditions which the solutions are intended to attain. Clearly, specific standards and criteria are subjects for discussion by experts, not lbr general conferences. Nevertheless. policy makers may take the view that any criteria they apply to coastal waters must harmonise all the various uses that are made of such waters and that the numeration of water quality criteria for one purpose may restrict its use for another, equally desirable use. S. H . JENKINS
interpretation and identification. There is also a short chapter on sample reference materials and a 7-page glossary of terms ranging from "accidental discharge" and "'additives" to "'white oil". The volume is essentially practical in character and whilst it could not be expected to give full guidance to the novice to the analytical bench will be welcomed by practising analysts who are concerned with environmental quality. There are, as is indicated, limitations to the extent to which interpretations can be made: the more precise the identification ofa satmple of unknown provenance, the more difficult this can be. But in addition to giving a good insight into marine pollution aspects the volume provides a suitable opening for those not already familiar with methodology in the field of petroleum technology to the complexities of the position and the practical basis by which this can be approached. H. EGAN