| The section of North Brittany contaminated by the "AMOCO-CADIZ" oil spill (17 March 1978) is a low-lying ria coastline dominated by dynamic processes favorable for the rapid dispersion of the oil. Aerial and ground surveys were made of the impacted area on 19 March - 2 April and 20 - 28 April 1978, to detail the distribution and persistence of oil along the shoreline. Oil deposition on the shoreline was primarily controlled by local geomorphology (e.g. rocky headlands, tombolos, crenulate bays, etc..) and wind-driven currents. Our results indicate that approximately 62.000 tons of oil was spread along 123 km of coastline and offshore rocks at the time of our first study. During the second study period, oil was distributed along 375 km of shoreline and... |
