ABSTRACT
A prototype mechanism for cleanup of oiled, sandy intertidal beaches in the Arabian Gulf was developed under the auspices of the U.N. International Maritime Organization. In contrast to the commonly used method requiring removal and replacement of oil-contaminated sediments, this approach leaves natural materials and surviving organisms on the beach, thereby enhancing the probability of ecosystem recovery. During field trials, approximately 1,200 gallons of oil were removed from a 6 m × 125 m section of beach, equivalent to 50 to 75 percent of the total oil in the sediments. Removal of up to 80 percent is considered reasonably achievable using multiple passes of the machinery under good conditions. This approach reduces the need for off-site disposal of contaminated sediments, reduces vehicle traffic on the beach, and eliminates the need for a source of clean replacement sand. Finally, the natural beach materials remain behind to be regraded by wind and water action into an approximation of the original beach.