Bibliometric Analysis of Standards, Regulations, and Guidelines Pertinent to Oil Pollution and Their Comparative Evaluation

Esmail  Radgohar; Ahmad Sharafati; Seyed Abbas  Haghshenas; Seyed Abbas  Hosseini

Authors

Esmail Radgohar Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0007-635X
Ahmad Sharafati Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0448-2871
Seyed Abbas Haghshenas Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran,Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7466-7189
Seyed Abbas Hosseini Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0225-0835

Keywords:

Oil pollution, Environmental regulation, Standards, Bibliometrics, Policy analysis, Marine pollution, MARPOL, ISO 14001, Risk assessment, Spill response

Abstract

Oil pollution presents an enduring threat to marine environments, necessitating robust global and regional regulatory responses. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and comparative analysis of standards, regulations, and guidelines addressing oil pollution from 1970 to 2024. By systematically examining literature indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, regulatory databases, and grey literature sources, this research explores the evolution of legal and technical frameworks in parallel with scientific advances in oil pollution mitigation. The analysis centers on international conventions such as MARPOL Annex I and the OPRC Convention, along with regional instruments including the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and national regulations like the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Using analytical tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix in R, the study maps publication trends, identifies thematic clusters, and analyzes institutional and national contributions. Findings indicate a strong correlation between major oil spill incidents and surges in regulatory and research activity, particularly in North America and Europe. Keyword co-occurrence networks reveal dominant themes, including risk assessment, environmental impact, and spill response technologies. Despite the extensive body of regulations and technical standards, gaps persist in enforcement, standard harmonization, and integration of local knowledge into global policies. Developing countries, although heavily impacted by oil pollution, remain underrepresented in both academic and regulatory discourse. This study highlights the fragmentation between scientific research, legal mandates, and practical implementation. It calls for enhanced international coordination, capacity building in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary frameworks that align scientific evidence with policy making. Recommendations include adopting integrated policy-science platforms, expanding multilingual and regional analyses, and broader inclusion of stakeholder perspectives. By contextualizing bibliometric insights within regulatory and technical landscapes, this research provides a strategic foundation for more resilient and equitable oil pollution governance worldwide.

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