Self-study for Emergency Responders and Planners

You can build your knowledge of spill and chemical accident response on your own. Below, we've provided links to some self-study sections, as well as the tools and software they involve.

Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Maps

ESI Training Exercise 2008 manual that describes an oil spill scenario, then guides you in using various formats of Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) data to identify the probable resources at risk.

Exercise: Using Maps to Evaluate Environmental Tradeoffs Oil and chemical spill responders and coastal zone managers use Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps as quick references in spill response and planning. This instructor's kit includes all the materials you'll need for an exercise in which you, or your students, will use ESI maps to plan a protection strategy for a coastline threatened by an oil spill.

Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Maps Learn more about ESI maps in this section.

GNOME Trajectory Model

GNOME User's Manual and Tour NOAA ERD uses the computer program GNOME during spill response to calculate a "best guess" of an oil spill's trajectory and the associated uncertainty in that trajectory. You can learn to operate GNOME, as well as the fundamental concepts you need to know to use GNOME effectively, by trying the Learning the Basics Tour, described in Chapter 2 of the GNOME User's Manual.

GNOME Example Problems To further build your skill and intuition in trajectory analysis, try some of the GNOME example problem sets. You will run GNOME with different tides, different wind speeds and directions, and with different current patterns or river flow rates (if applicable) to learn how these conditions influence oil spill trajectories.

GNOME Learn more about GNOME, OR&R's oil spill trajectory model, and download a version to your computer.

Chemical Reactivity Worksheet

A Reactivity Problem Set These problems are a set of practice exercises (and answers to the problems) for users of the Chemical Reactivity Worksheet. The Worksheet is a program you can use to find out about the reactivity of substances or mixtures of substances. (If you're a new Worksheet user, we recommend that you try out our Reactivity Example Problem first.)

A Reactivity Example Problem If you're a new Worksheet user, try out this problem first. In it, you will "mix" two chemicals together to learn about their potential reactivity hazard.

Tips for Worksheet Users Check this list for tips on how to use the Worksheet effectively.

The Chemical Reactivity Worksheet Learn more about the Worksheet, and download a version to your computer.

For Students and Teachers

Students and Teachers In the section, Inspiring Students and Teachers, we offer some experiments and activities related to oil movement and behavior. You can try the experiments either at home for fun, as demonstrations to classes, or as science fair projects. Some of the activities are appropriate for younger children; others are suitable for older students and adults.