Geographic information systems applied to potential hydrocarbon oil spills in the Balearic Islands

Creation of a geographic information system (GIS), connected to the OILMAP simulation model, and specific for the Balearic Islands is described. The resulting GIS includes information about the coastal areas of the islands, indicating the most sensitive areas (fisheries, natural parks, beaches and their sand type, dimensions, potential occupancy and services). The natural parks bordering the littoral region of the Balearic sea (in Majorca, Menorca, Formentera and Cabrera) are classified by extension, flora and fauna and other characteristics. Data concerning the tanker routes that pass through the Balearic Sea are entered. With the aid of the computer program OILMAP (developed by Applied Science Associates) different types of tanker oil spills are simulated to evaluate the potential risk zones and the effects that an oil spill could create for the Islands