Subsurface Oiling Descriptors - Type | NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration

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Subsurface Oiling Descriptors - Type

Photo examples of different types of subsurface oiling. [Part of the Shoreline Assessment Job Aid.]

Click on an image below to see the full image.

SAP. Subsurface Asphalt Pavement (08.02.04, unknown) A buried layer of hardened oil	OP. Oil-Filled Pores (08.25.04, unknown) Pore spaces that are completely filled with oil, so that oil flows out of the sediments when they are disturbed	PP. Partially-Filled Pores (08.25.04, unknown) Pore spaces that are filled with oil, which generally does not flow out of the sediments when they are disturbed
OR. Oil Residue (08.25.04, unknown) Sediments that are visibly oiled, with black/brown coat or cover on clasts, but little or no accumulation of oil within pore spaces	OF. Oil Film (08.25.04, unknown) Sediments that are lightly oiled, with an oil sheen or stain on the clasts

Related Pages on Our Site

Shoreline Assessment Job Aid A supplement to the Shoreline Assessment Manual, containing visual examples of many of the terms you would use during shoreline assessments after an oil spill.