Assessing resource sensitivity to oil spill pollution in China's coastal waters

In this assessment of the sensitivity of resources to oil spill pollution, shorelines and marine functional zones were emphasized. A ranking system was developed based on shoreline exposure, slope, and substrate composition, and this system was used to predict the sensitivity of shoreline-associated natural resources. Shore-associated industries were categorized into marine functional zones. The economic-production values of these industries, as well as the degrees of disturbance potentially exerted by oil spills, were ranked to evaluate the sensitivity of these socioeconomic resources. Shoreline and functional zone sensitivity was graded as extreme, high, moderate, or slight. The results indicated that shorelines with estuaries, swamps, mangroves, and cays were extremely sensitive and that tourism and fisheries were extremely sensitive industries. The developed assessment method was applied to the Bohai Sea as a case study. The results indicated that most of the Bohai Sea shoreline was moderately or highly sensitive to potential oil spill pollution; only a few shorelines were identified as extremely sensitive. These extremely sensitive areas predominated in locations where fisheries and tourism are common. Fewer slightly and moderately sensitive maritime spaces were identified in this region, primarily consisting of mining, town, and special utilization zones. This study supports oil spill disaster prevention and mitigation