MAPPING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY RESPONDING TO OIL SPILLS IN BINH DINH PROVINCE

Abstract

The coastal and marine areas are important economic areas of Binh Dinh Province, which are rich in tourism, aquaculture, salt production and diversified ecosystems, so when the oil spills occur, it will affect economic development as well as damage ecosystems. The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) was developed to assess the environmental vulnerability of an oil spill and identify sensitive areas that help to preparing suitable solutions and reducing the environmental consequences. In this study, the environmental sensitivity index map was constructed based on ESI of three subjects including shoreline, biological resources and human resources which are determined based on NOAA guidelines. The results indicate that the coastlines, coastal and marine ecosystems of Binh Dinh province is highly vulnerable to oil spills.