A system for estimating a coast's vulnerability to oil spills is prese
nted, based on geomorphological maps and environmental data collected
in the Svalbard intertidal. Since this European Arctic archipelago is
nearly undisturbed and presents a 'natural environment', its protectio
n calls for a more detailed approach. As many as 19 factors were selec
ted as important for oil spill assessment in the littoral. All factors
have been grouped into different subject categories (physical paramet
ers and biological parameters) and a different rank of importance was
given for each factor (principal, important, secondary). Selected coas
t units may be described with regard to sensitivity to the oil spill b
y the index of vulnerability counted in each of the two categories. Th
e western (Atlantic) coast has been described as more vulnerable when
compared to eastern (Arctic) coasts of the archipelago. The physical p
arameters and biological parameters indices were often contradictory w
hen vulnerable biota (e.g. rich crustacean assemblages) were connected
with relative resistance to the oil spill physical environment (expos
ed stony beaches). (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.