Distribution of oil along the Saudi Arabian coastline (May/June 1991) as a result of the Gulf War oil spills

This paper presents results of an intensive, land-based field survey undertaken in May and early June 1991 to assess the impact of oil along the shoreline of Saudi Arabia resulting from the Gulf War in neighbouring Kuwait. Under guidance of an international committee directed by the Meteorology and Environmental Protection Administration of Saudi Arabia, priority issues of the survey were to determine the distribution and extent of oiling, the type of affected habitat, the most appropriate cleanup method for each shoreline type and oiled locality, and to prioritize shoreline areas for cleanup. This paper augments information previously reported in MEPA (1991). Price et al. (1993) also completed a rapid survey of the impacted area, but focused on broadscale ecosystem changes.