Research report—A geographical information system for oil spills sensitivity mapping in the Shetland Islands (United Kingdom)

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have been making important contributions to environmental monitoring and management. This paper discusses their use in oil spill sensitivity mapping in the Brent System Pipeline Nearshore Section in the Shetland Islands. The study demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of the GIS approach in determining the critical areas that need to be protected in the event of an oil spill. It concludes with a discussion on the future development in this field.