Best available techniques for oil spill containment and clean-up in the Mediterranean Sea

An oil spill is the accidental or intentional release of petroleum products into the environment as a result of human activity (drilling, manufacturing, storing, transporting, waste management). Oil spills are unfortunately common events in many parts of the world. A survey has been undertaken on Best Available Techniques (BATs) used both for oil spill prevention and oil spill response. Preventing oil spill is definitely the best strategy for avoiding potential damage to human health and the environment. Nevertheless, when a spill occurs, the best approach for containing and controlling the spill is to take action quickly and in a well-organized and efficient way. The aim of the paper is the proposal of evaluation criteria aiming at an optimal BAT determination when an oil spill occurs. The criteria are referred to BATs for oil spill containment and to BATs for clean up of marine habitat, with particular regard to the item of the preservation of biodiversity.