Dounreay oil spill: Major implications of a minor incident

Few reports of oil spills on an exposed rocky shore have taken into account the background of natural events and the period over which the possible consequences of pollution and its treatment may come to light. This small incident has served as a cautionary tale, illustrating the pitfalls of instant assessment, and the type of baseline experience required for biological interpretation. It has also underlined the continuing inadequacy of the ecological advice available when treatment decisions have to be made.