Isabel Cunhaa, Susana Moreiraa and Miguel Machado Santosa,b AN ONLINE DATABASE OF HAZARDOUS AND NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES (HNS) SPILL INCIDENTS AT SEA – AN ARCOPOL PLUS TOOL Isabel Cunhaa, Susana Moreiraa and Miguel Machado Santosa,b a Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR) Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal b Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Dept. de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal Introduction Methodology This database was developed on the ambit of the Atlantic Area trans-national programme project ARCOPOL PLUS (+) which aims at improving maritime safety and Atlantic regions coastal pollution response through technology transfer. Here, we performed a review on the fate and weathering of HNS involved in previous spill incidents and developed a public database that can assist in the preparedness and response to HNS spills. Information was collected for European and rest of the world HNS spill incidents. Incidents that ended in a HSN spill event were selected. Information on fate and weathering of HNS spilled in real conditions, during the event, were searched on databases (CEDRE, IMO, EMSA), reports produced by local and national authorities, other projects’ reports, scientific literature, proceedings of congresses and internet in general. Systematization of data collected regarding characterization of substances spilt was performed. Results The database produced is hosted at CIIMAR webpage (http://www.ciimar.up.pt/hns). Data on 119 spill incidents and 191 spilt substances were collected. A database was produced (fig. 1) that may be searched by ship name, substance involved name, location and year of the incident. Systematization on data collected regarding products spilt characteristics are presented on figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. Fig. 2 - Classification of the substances spilt according to the physical short term behavior (SEBC code). Gases (G), evaporators (E), floaters (F), persistent floaters (Fp), dissolvers (D), sinkers (S), Non-classified – food, grains, ores, etc… and not classified as chemicals. SEBC – Standard European Behaviour Classifications or Code. Fig. 3 - Classification of substances spilled according to the new IBC MARPOL code (GESAMP, 2002). Category X: deemed to present a major hazard; Category Y: deemed to present a hazard; Category Z: deemed to present minor hazard; Other substance (OS): considered to present no harm to marine resources. IBC MARPOL code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk. Fig.1 – Print screens of some search options and search outputs of the Hazard and Noxious Substances (HNS) spills database. Fig. 4 - Categories of the most common products involved in accidental spills in marine environment. X axis corresponds to the number of spills. Fig. 5 - Most common products involved in accidental spills in marine environment. X axis corresponds to the number of spills. Discussion HNS have a wide range of potential fate and behaviour characteristics once released into the marine environment. The selection of the appropriate response to an HNS incident requires detailed knowledge on the physical, chemical and toxicological properties of the substance involved. Very little information is available on the fate and weathering of the HNS spilt under real conditions. This database will be available for public use and maintained updated regarding this specific aspects of a spill event. Bibliography GESAMP, 2002. The Revised GESAMP Hazard Evaluation Procedure for Chemical Substances Carried by Ships. Reports and Studies No. 64. IMO/FAO/UNESCO-I0C/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEp. Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection. Rep. Stud. Gesamp No. 64, IMO, London, 126pp. Acknowledgements: The ARCOPOL plus – Improving maritime safety and pollution response through technology transfer, training & innovation (contract nr. 2011-1/150) is funded by the Atlantic Area Transnational Programme (Priority 2: Marine Environment and Renewable Energy) with support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).