bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE OIL SPILL IN LEBANON 2006: A STUDY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS AND PAHS IN THE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM
Authors: Linden Olof , Rust Mattias
Published: January 2013

The armed conflict between the Hezbolí in Lebanon and Israel during the summer 2006 resulted in damage to infrastructure and buildings on both sides. One of the targets of Israeli attacks was the fuel storage tanks of the Jiyeh power plant south of Beirut. The fuel storage tanks were hit by missiles on July 13 and July 15. The attacks resulted in a fire and the release of 10–15 thousand tons of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea. The clean-up efforts after the spill were prevented for about one month due to the ongoing conflict and a naval blockade of the country.

The present investigation was carried out in order to assess the environmental damage of the oil spill. The investigation focused on the levels of petroleum hydrocarbons including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments, oysters, and fish. The samples were collected from about 30 different sites along the coast. The concentrations found in the sampling carried out 3 months after the spill showed moderately elevated concentrations in the same range as what is often found in coastal sediments subjected to anthropogenic influences from boating and run-off from urban areas. Although the oil spill resulted in significant contamination of the shoreline, it probably added only marginally to the background concentrations in the seabed sediments at 4 to 25 m water depth along the Lebanese coast.

The oil spill caused minor impact on contaminated rocks and beaches directly exposed to the oil spill. These impacts were caused mainly by the physical properties of the oil as most of the toxic compounds evaporated in connection with the fire when the oil spill started and the weathering processes when the oil drifted northwards along the Lebanese coast.
FLEXIBILITY ON U.S. EPA OIL SPILL PREVENTION MEASURES TO ACCOMMODATE SMALL CAPACITY MULTI-SECTOR STAKEHOLDERS
Authors: Fleming Patricia
Published: January 2013

In December 2006 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published revisions to the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation (40 CFR part 112) to streamline regulatory requirements pertaining to the prevention of oil discharges to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. The purpose of these revisions was to allow flexibility for the regulated community in designing an oil spill prevention program that is appropriate for each individual facility. The range of regulated facilities for the SPCC universe includes everything from oil exploration and production facilities to end users of oil. The equipment and oil-handling activities vary as a result of the individual business operations of the facility.

EPA has moved away from a prescriptive approach for requirements pertaining to the oil pollution prevention regulation in 40 CFR 112 and has incorporated performance based elements into the regulation to accommodate the wide universe of regulated stakeholders while maintaining protection of human health and the environment. Since promulgation of the regulation, the rule has incorporated alternative measures for when secondary containment is determined to be impracticable. In 2002, a provision was added to the rule to allow for deviations from rule requirements when an alternative environmentally equivalent measure is employed. The most recent revisions to the SPCC rule in 2006 include alternatives for facilities with small oil storage capacities to self-certify their SPCC Plans in lieu of a Professional Engineer certification. Additionally, the Agency is developing an additional proposal to streamline and simplify the SPCC rule for oil and gas production facilities, farms, and a subset of qualified facilities.

This paper will highlight the SPCC rule provisions that provide flexibility in order to facilitate compliance and achieve the goal of preventing discharges of oil to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. It will discuss the background of the SPCC rule; the key revisions that specifically offer alternative compliance options, with a focus on small oil storage capacity facilities; and provide an overview of the 2007 proposed revisions to the SPCC rule.
RECENT EXPERIENCE FROM MULTIPLE REMOTE SENSING AND MONITORING TO IMPROVE OIL SPILL RESPONSE OPERATIONS
Authors: Jensen Hans V. , Andersen Jørn H. S. , Daling Per S. , Nøst Elisabeth
Published: January 2013

Introducing regular aerial surveillance in 1981 and near-real time radar satellite detection services in 1992, Norway has obtained a substantial experience in multi sensor oil spill remote sensing. Since 2001 NOFO has been a driving force in the development and utilization of ship-based sensors for short to medium range oil spill detection, supplementing airborne and satellite remote sensing. During the NOFO Oil On Water Exercise in 2006 two satellites, four aircraft, one helicopter and two ships carrying wide range of sensors provided a unique opportunity to assess and compare remote sensing field data synchronized with ground-truth sampling from three sampling MOB-boats. The sampling boats were equipped for doing oil slick thickness measurements and physical-chemical characterization of the surface oil properties. A new vessel-based dispersant application system was field tested executing dispersant treatment of two oil slicks while supported by live infrared video transmitted to the vessel from helicopter. The success of this experiment was documented by extensive monitoring and characterization of the surface oil and the dispersed oil plume during and after the dispersant treatment. This guiding technique, in using aerial forward looking IR-video live transmission from helicopter and remote sensing aircraft, has been practiced later during a recent accidental oil spill on the Norwegian continental shelf. To utilize multiple remote sensors operationally from a response vessel, it is necessary to compare signatures from different sensors in near real time. This paper describes core elements of the remote sensing and ground-truth monitoring during oil on water exercises in recent years, lessons learned and how NOFO will continue developing remote sensing operations related to oil spill combating in reduced visibility and light conditions.
THE SHORELINE RESPONSE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Authors: Owens Edward H. , Sergy Gary A.
Published: January 2013

The decision process that generates oil spill response objectives, strategies and tactics at regional and site-specific scales is a form of risk management. Typically this decision process involves an analysis of the probabilities and consequences of events and the selection of actions to achieve the defined objective(s). Coastal marine, lake and river oil spills frequently are the more difficult ones to manage due to the dynamics and complexity of the environment in terms of physical processes, ecosystem variability and sensitivity, and human use activities. The development of a systematic approach to decision-making is intended to address and reduce the complexity of these issues. This can be achieved by the identification of the elemental components of a response operation in terms of four phases: preplanning; reactive response; planned response; and the completion and monitoring response phase. The framework of the decision process within each of the three response phases is a logical and systematic sequence of nine integrated steps. This discussion explains the purpose and actions that are involved in each step and the manner in which the different components relate to each other.
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITY “THEN” AND “NOW”
Authors: Rich Leonard
Published: January 2013

The intent of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90) is to ensure the U.S. Government is prepared to protect the environment from a catastrophic spill of the magnitude and complexity of the 1989 EXXON VALDEZ oil spill. The OPA90 legislation resulted in an overall restructuring and enhancement of the National Strike Force (NSF), and establishment of District Response Groups who are staffed and equipped with mechanical spill recovery assets and are prepared to take prompt actions to mitigate a worst case discharge scenario. During the early 1990s, over $31 million dollars worth of oil spill response equipment was acquired and placed at 23 locations throughout the United States. Since then, an additional $10 million dollars of environmental emergency response equipment has been added to the USCG'S inventory, and are now located at 16 additional sites.

This paper will elaborate on the evolution of the USCG'S environmental emergency response capabilities. In terms of preparedness, it will explain how, where and why the Coast Guard has adjusted its resources and capabilities since the OPA90 legislation. The expanded mission requirements include; redistributing and adjusting the locations of the Vessel of Opportunity Skimming Systems, expanding functional use of the pre-positioned equipment for dewatering during shipboard fires, designing and implementing an offload pumping system for viscous oil at each NSF Strike Team, revisiting the condition and continued use of OPA90 procured first response “band-aid’ equipment, modifying the basic response equipment systems for fast current spill response, and the implementation of the Spilled Oil Recovery System.

These actions reflect policy and mission adjustments influenced by an ever changing environment. The Coast Guard has re-organized from the bottom up to meet increased port security measures, and the capability to respond to all-hazard incidents. We must continue to maintain a high state of readiness in the oil spill response environment and accept the need to incorporate change to the equipment and the way we conduct our support to the American public.
ESTIMATING OIL VOLUME FOR THE 2006 SAVANNAH RIVER MYSTERY SPILL
Authors: Dunagan Heidi , Michel Jacqueline , Benggio Bradford
Published: January 2013

The July 2006 spill of heavy fuel oil into the Savannah River, in Savannah, Georgia, presented two common issues facing responders: the source and amount spilled were unknown and the oil contaminated extensive areas of fringing marshes. The initial spill volume was estimated to be 5,000 gallons. Shoreline assessment teams mapped the length, width, height, and percent cover of the oil bands on the vegetation, determining that approximately 7.25 miles were very lightly oiled, 5.0 miles were lightly oiled, 6.3 miles were moderately oiled, and 2.0 miles were heavily oiled. These data were used to estimate that there were 22,000 gallons of oil (with a range of 17,220–28,700 gallons) on the vegetation, indicating that the original estimate of 5,000 gallons was too low. This poster will briefly discuss the history of oil spills on the Savannah River as well as summarize the methods used to estimate spill volume during the 2006 oil spill.
BAYOU PEROT AND THE UNUSUAL SITUATION OF STRANDED OIL ADHERED TO MUD FLATS
Authors: Henry Charlie , Helton Doug , Michel Jacqeline , Woodle Christopher
Published: January 2013

The Environmental Sensitivity Index ranks Sheltered Mud Flats as a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most sensitive of habitats). Mud flats are very soft substrates that will not support even the lightest of foot traffic by cleanup workers. Conventional wisdom suggests that oil that strands on a mud flat during low water will lift and float free during the next high water event. Afterwards, the flat will generally appear free of oil. It is very unusual for stranded oil to form a strong adhesive bond to the wet substrate such that during high water events, water flows over the oil, and the oil doesn't resurface and float away. When the water level drops, the oil remains. This unusual process was one of the problems facing responders during the Bayou Perot Oil Spill in Southern Louisiana in January, 2007. The spill was reportedly caused by a vessel striking a small platform and wellhead. The incident resulted in an uncontrolled, wild well release that lasted for nearly five days. During that time, more than 7000 bbls of crude oil and production water emulsion were thought to have been released into the environment. Several thousand of those barrels became stranded in an adjacent wetland with most of the oil stranded on mud flats and in shallow canals with little to no water. The water levels were very low at the time of the event. Subsequent tidal and wind-driven water level changes failed to significantly free the oil. Most of the emulsified oil remained adhered to the mud flats. The question and response challenge became, “How do you clean mud flats adjacent to sensitive marsh habitat without causing unacceptable collateral damage?” Field tests were conducted using several types of sorbents (snare, sweeps, and bagasse), a solidifier, squeegees, and burning. The outcome, based on these tests, was to use “Airboat-deployed Vacuum Recovery Systems. This paper provides a case study of an unusual, and challenging, oiling event that required a series of field experiments to develop a practical cleanup strategy.
INTEGRATING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES INTO OIL SPILL PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
Authors: Guevarra Joselito
Published: January 2013

Presently, close to 2 billion tons of oil is transported annually via international marine oil network. The increasing number of ships, especially bigger ones, has brought a sense of heightened concern to countries living in or close to these maritime corridors. Specifically, the concern is that of a major oil spill.

The devastation caused by a major spill is always relative - to the amount, oil type, weather conditions, and most especially the area of impact. Coastal communities are especially vulnerable and those that have been hit by large spills, like in the Philippines, have borne the brunt of its force to its livelihood, resources and habitat. And most often than not, especially in remote areas, they are at the frontlines of combating the spill, whether it be clean up or other response strategies.

The problem is that local communities are rarely formally integrated into the response planning framework such as in oil spill contingency plans. With more than half the world'S population living along or near the coastline, this is a valuable human resource that is untapped. The Alaska Oil Spill Commission report entitled ‘Spill: the Wreck of the Exxon Valdez’ recognized the vital role of local interests, local knowledge and experience in the response effort and suggested that ‘substantive roles should be given to the affected communities in any response system.’

The aim of this paper is to examine the current practices worldwide through case studies of how local communities are assimilated into the response frameworks and how these best practices can be formulated into practical guidelines that can be implemented effectively.
EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL DISPERSANTS AND MINERAL FINES ON PARTITIONING OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS IN NATURAL SEAWATER
Authors: Lee Kenneth , Li Zhengkai , King Thomas , Kepkay Paul , Boufadel Michel C , Venosa Albert D , Mullin Joseph V
Published: January 2013

The interaction of chemical dispersants and suspended sediments with crude oil influences the fate and transport of oil spills in coastal waters. Recent wave tank studies have shown that dispersants facilitate the dissipation of oil droplets into the water column and reduces the particle size distribution of oil-mineral aggregates (OMAs). In this work, baffled flasks were used to carry out a controlled laboratory experimental study to define the effects of chemical dispersants and mineral fines on the partitioning of crude oil, major fractions of oil, and petroleum hydrocarbons from the surface to the bulk water column and the sediment phases. The dissolved and dispersed oil in the aqueous phase and OMA was characterized using an Ultraviolet Fluorescence Spectroscopy (UVFS). The distribution of major fractions of crude oil (the alkanes, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) was analyzed by thin layer chromatography coupled to flame ionized detection (TLC/FID); aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results suggest that chemical dispersants enhanced the transfer of oil from the surface to the water column as dispersed oil, and promoted the formation of oil-mineral aggregates in the water column. Interaction of chemically dispersed oil with suspended particular materials needs to be considered in order to accurately assess the environmental risk associated with chemical oil dispersant use in particle-rich nearshore and esturine waters. The results from this study indicate that there is not necessarily an increase in sedimentation of oil in particle rich water when dispersants are applied.
EFFECT OF MIXING ENERGY, MIXING TIME AND SETTLING TIME ON DISPERSION EFFECTIVENESS IN TWO BENCH-SCALE TESTING SYSTEMS
Authors: Mukherjee Biplab
Published: January 2013

Dispersion experiments were conducted in baffled-flask and paddle-jar mixing systems at five energy dissipation rates ranging from 4.8 × 10−4 to 1.6 × 10−1 J/kg-s. The objective of these experiments was to investigate the effects of mixing energy, mixing time, and settling time on dispersion effectiveness and size distribution of the chemically dispersed oil droplets. Two separate combinations of evaporatively weathered Mars crude oil premixed with dispersants differing in hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) (12 and 10) but having the same chemical composition (Tween 80 and Span 80 in dodecane) were used. Dispersion effectiveness increased with energy dissipation rate to a maximum and then leveled for all cases studied. In the baffled flask, dispersion effectiveness reached a maximum of 82 ± 5% irrespective of oil-dispersant combination. In the paddle jar, the maximum value of dispersion effectiveness was oil-dispersant specific, being at 87 ± 9% and 30 ± 11% for dispersant HLB 12 and 10, respectively. Mixing time did not seem to have a significant effect on dispersion effectiveness in comparison to the effects of energy dissipation rates and oil-dispersant combinations. The normalized volume distributions of the dispersed oil droplets were tri-modal in both systems, suggesting that multiple mechanisms of droplet formation occurred. The largest droplet mode disappeared from the size distribution in dispersions produced in the baffled flask when the mixing energy was >1.6 × 10−2 J/kg-s. A similar behavior was also observed in the paddle jar for the oil-dispersant combination of HLB 12, but not for HLB 10. Inclusion of a settling period of 20 minutes before collecting sample decreased the dispersion effectiveness in paddle jar but no significant changes were observed in the baffled flask system. The differences observed were due to the differences in the size distributions of the dispersed oil droplets generated in these two systems.
HOW TO LIST A NEW PRODUCT ON THE NATIONAL OIL AND HAZARDOUS POLLUTION, SUBPART J PRODUCT SCHEDULE
Authors: DeHaven Leigh , Tirrell Rebecca
Published: January 2013

In light of the recently updated U.S. Coast Guard Regulation for Vessel Response Plans, which include requirements for vessel dispersant response capabilities and with the recent expansion of many U.S. Coastal Dispersant ?reauthorization Zones, it is important that both alternative oil spill chemical countermeasure product manufacturers and oil spill responders have an understanding of the National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution, Subpart J Product Schedule (NCP Product Schedule). The NCP Product Schedule lists alternative chemical countermeasures which may be used in oil spills in the United States if authorized by a Federal On-Scene Coordinator with consultation from the Regional Response Team including local Trustees. The product types currently listed on the NCP Product Schedule include dispersants, surface washing agents, bioremediation agents and miscellaneous oil spill control agents. Sorbents are also defined in the NCP Product Schedule, but they may or may not be required to be listed on the NCP Product Schedule depending upon their composition. The unauthorized use of oil spill chemical countermeasure products listed on the NCP Product Schedule on an on water oil spill is a violation of the Clean Water Act. In addition, the use of chemical products that are not listed on the NCP Product Schedule on oil spills on waters of the United States is also a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Before a chemical countermeasure product is used during an oil spill in waters of the United States, new products must meet the data requirements stated in Subpart J of the NCP Product Schedule regulation (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 300.900). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains and updates the NCP Product Schedule. The EPA reviews the required data packages for new products and regularly updates the NCP Product Schedule and Technical Notebook on the NCP Product Schedule website (www.epa.gov/emergencies). This paper and poster will outline the steps to list a new product and provide background information on the NCP Product Schedule.
BUSINESS CONTROLS TO ENSURE RESPONSE READINESS - MEASUREMENT FOR SUCCESS
Authors: Linderman Ken R.
Published: January 2013

Alaska Clean Seas has developed and implemented a business management control system. We gathered data from the information-based systems currently in place, identify what type of information is critical to our response business, assessed the risk, and ensure control activities are in place to help us better run and manage our response organization.

The goal is effective response readiness management. Business controls need to be clearly understood to relate to response readiness performance and compliance needs to be fully integrated with the organization culture, structure and business processes.

The challenge is to ensure the response readiness controls are communicated, understood, followed, monitored, revised, and reported as required.

In order to stay on target you need to create a game plan that is transparent to the entire staff. ACS has designed a Response Readiness “Scorecard” to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following categories:Accurate response equipment inventoryReliable preventative maintenance of response equipmentStaff Response Readiness - Call-Out DrillsLessons Learned follow upPersonnel Response Readiness - Compliance trainingContractor Response ReadinessResponse Readiness Reports

The ACS Response Readiness Scorecard includes the following elements:Key ObjectiveDescriptionKey Performance IndicatorTarget Performance

Getting employees to accept and feel ownership in a business control system is essential. Time was spent explaining why response readiness controls are being put into place.

The Oil Spill Response Industry is dynamic and constantly faces new challenges and opportunities. Having developed response readiness controls, along with performing risk assessments, ACS certainly has a better handle on the question “Are we ready”?

“Measure the critical few, not the trivial many”
ROLES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL UNIT: SUCCESS AND THE ATHOS I SPILL RESPONSE1
Authors: Levine Ed , Ott Gary
Published: January 2013

On November 26, 2004, the tanker Athos I struck several submerged objects, resulting in the release of an estimated 264,000 gallons of Bachaquero Venezuelan crude oil into the Delaware River near West Deptford, New Jersey. The magnitude of the potential impacts from this release prompted the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) to stand up an incident Command System (ICS) to manage response activities.

As part of this Incident Command structure, the Planning Section implemented an Environmental Unit (EU). The EU Leader is responsible for assessing the environmental conditions or impacts related to an incident and develop strategies to minimize those impacts. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) was requested by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator to fill the position of EU Leader.

The response lasted almost one year. Throughout the event the EU was an essential component of the response management structure, capable of building up or scaling down as the workload demanded. Multiple federal, state, and local government personnel, as well as contractors staffed the EU and tackled the complex and often first-time issues as they were presented. Three factors critical to the successful response, and in which the EU played key rolls were: 1) change and adaptation in organizational structure during the response, 2) scientific and technological support for Decision Makers, and 3) effective use of information management tools that demonstrate organizational competence. This paper highlights those three factor, describes the scientific and technological issues the EU dealt with, and how the EU helped to achieve organizational success.
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES FOR INCIDENT COMMANDERS: WHAT THEY DIDN'T TEACH YOU IN ICS
Authors: Dix Mark
Published: January 2013

Successful companies interpret the business landscape they operate in, adapt to changes in that environment and acquire the resources necessary to produce sufficient agility so they can continue to be learning organizations and prosper. Response efforts can resemble overnight conglomerate corporate structures with diverging or disparate missions, lack coherent strategy amongst units, or mismatch organizational structure to their position in the lifecycle of their business. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) adopted by many Federal agencies for use in response management promotes many sound business practices but needs to equip senior management (incident commanders) with the tools necessary to create, run and disassemble their businesses effectively. What does the steward of a small, sometimes multi-million dollar business need to know to shepherd their organization through a business “lifecycle”? Key small business principles for efficient management of a short duration organization ought to reside in the ICS-400 curriculum. A starter assortment of “things they didn't teach you in ICS” is presented.
DISPERSANT EFFECTIVENESS TESTING ON VISCOUS, U.S. OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF CRUDE OILS AND WATER-IN-OIL EMULSIONS AT OHMSETT
Authors: Belore Randy , Lewis Alun , Guarino Alan , Mullin Joe
Published: January 2013

Two separate projects were funded by the US Minerals Management Service to study the dispersibility of viscous crude oils and water-in-oil emulsions. The objective of the first study was to determine the viscosity limit for the effectiveness of chemical dispersants applied to viscous US Outer Continental Shelf crude oils of varied origin. The objective of the second study was to determine the effectiveness of chemical dispersants when applied to water-in-oil emulsions and to determine if similar viscosity limits exist for successful dispersion of emulsions as for non-emulsified crude oils.

In both programs, preliminary tests were completed in the small-scale wave tank at SL Ross. Full-scale tests were completed at The National Oil Spill Response Test Facility (Ohmsett) in Leonardo, New Jersey in April 2005 (viscous oils) and December 2005 (emulsions).

In the emulsion dispersion program, tests were conducted with both Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527 dispersants. Only Corexit 9500 was used in the viscous oil dispersion testing.

In the viscous oil test program, the effectiveness of the dispersant was influenced by both oil type (viscosity) and to a lesser extent by DOR. In general, the oils with viscosities lower than 6,500 cP were dispersible to a significant degree, whereas the oils with viscosities of 33,000 cP and greater were not. Oils between 6,500 and 33,000 cP were not available for testing to identify dispersant effectiveness between these two viscosities.
ENSURING THE MOST APPROPRIATE OIL SPILL TREATMENT PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE – A REVIEW OF TOXICITY TESTING AND APPROVAL ISSUES IN THE UK
Authors: Kirby Mark F. , Devoy Bryony , Law Robin J.
Published: January 2013

Oil spill treatment products in the UK are a key option in response scenarios. It is recognised that their appropriate usage can significantly reduce net environmental impact. However, the approval process for products in the UK is strictly regulated and all must undergo an approval process before they can be used in UK marine waters. This requires the product to pass both efficacy and toxicity assessments. The toxicity assessment comprises a ‘Sea and ‘Rocky Shore’ test and is primarily based on a toxicity comparison between mechanically dispersed oil (untreated) and oil under the same conditions but treated with the product. The premise being that the addition of product should not significantly increase the toxicity of the oil alone.

The current toxicity and efficiency testing protocols have been in place for 30 years and the last review of the scheme took place in 1993. The UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are the regulatory body and have launched another review of the scheme during 2007 to establish whether the process continues to provide the most appropriate means of ensuring that safe and effective products are available to UK responders.

The review will take the form of a wide ranging public consultation. Particular issues that are being considered include; the continued requirement for products to pass both toxicity assessments; the need to test dispersants as a type 2 (water-diluted) or type 3 (neat) separately; the need to approve products for specific use against different oil types, especially heavier fuel and weathered oils; the need to take into account the fact that many modern dispersants are effective at lower product:oil ratios than used in the current test process; the performance of products under different conditions of salinity and/or temperature; the need for specific test development for other product types (e.g. surface cleaners) or to make the process more efficient (e.g. combined efficacy and toxicity test).

The UK Government wishes to ensure that responders have the option of selecting the best product for tackling each oil spill scenario providing that environmental protection is not compromised. It is intended that the outcome of the review will be to facilitate this even more so than at present. This paper will describe the background to the issues being considered in the review, why they may be significant and will give a preliminary overview of initial conclusions.
RECOVERY OF OIL TRAPPED IN SHIP-WRECKS: THE DIFIS CONCEPT
Authors: Cozijn J.L. , Andritsos F. , Konstantinopoulos P.A. , Charatsis K. J. , Derdas C. , Mazarakos D. , Kostopoulos V. , Hoornstra D. , Pena A. Arnedo , Candini L. , Ametler S. , Fidani A. , Castex A. , Delauze M. , Drogou J. F. , Lívèque J. P. , Davies P. , Montandon C. , Geffard F. , Pecot F. , Estrada V.
Published: January 2013

A method for the prompt and cost-effective intervention and remediation of tanker wrecks dealing with eventual leaks and recovering the fuel trapped in their tanks, even at considerable depths, is described. The method is of general applicability as long as the trapped pollutant does not dissolve and is of lower density than sea water. It relies on gravity to channel the flow of spilt fuel towards the surface. Instead of channeling the flow directly to the surface, the fuel-water mix is directed to a buffer reservoir/separator some 30–50 m below the sea surface so as not to be affected by rough weather. This is achieved by means of a light, quickly deployable flexible structure that should stay in place until all the tanks of the wreck are emptied and the pollution threat eliminated. The buffer reservoir, into which the spilt fuel is channelled, is provided with standard equipment through which shuttle vessels, weather permitting, can recover the fuel rapidly, using standard off-shore equipment and procedures.
VEGETATION RESPONSE AND SEDIMENT POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON ATTENUATION IN A CAREXMARSH IN HOWE SOUND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA FOLLOWING A SPILL OF BUNKER C Fuel Oil
Authors: Challenger Greg , Sergy Gary , Graham Andy
Published: January 2013

A spill of Bunker C fuel oil in Howe Sound, British Columbia, Canada in August 2006 affected approximately 10.5 acres (4.2 hectares) of marsh habitat unique to the Pacific Northwest. A cleanup approach to reduce impacts from response actions was balanced with a desire to remove all residual oil. Cleanup techniques that were used include flushing, cutting, raking, passive sorbent collection, natural recovery, and manual excavation (sediment removal). Evaluation of the habitat response relative to oiling conditions and treatments was undertaken by examining vegetation indices in treatment and control areas and temporal changes in sediment concentrations of poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). One year post-spill results suggest that the amount or degree of oiling on the dominant vegetation, Carex lyngbyei and ?leocharis palustris, had little or no apparent effect, or was insignificant in comparison to the impact of the treatment. Vegetation cutting alone had no positive or negative effect on vegetation recovery indices. Treatments which were aggressive in physically disturbing the sediments and root systems of the marsh (heavy trampling, heavy scraping, excavation and/or excessive trampling) retarded vegetation recovery in oiled and unoiled habitats and prolonged oil persistence in comparison to non aggressive treatment, vegetation cutting alone or natural recovery. Mechanical damage was the best predictor of ?AH persistence.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF TAPIS CRUDE OIL AND DISPERSED CRUDE OIL ON SUBTIDAL ZOSTERA CAPRICORNI
Authors: Wilson K. G. , Ralph P. J.
Published: January 2013

Oil spill mitigation managers need to know the effects of chemical dispersants on subtidal seagrass in order to determine the least net environmental impact of their actions. The decision-making process for chemical dispersant use in Australia, known as Net Environmental Benefit Analysis, is compromised in near shore areas due to a lack of information on dispersed oil impacts on subtidal seagrasses. This study aimed to determine the toxic effects of crude oil, dispersed and non-dispersed, on subtidal seagrass and to quantify the exposure amount.

Zostera capricorni plants were exposed to a range of concentrations of different oil and dispersant combinations in the field. ?hotosynthetic health was measured using Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry and chlorophyll pigment analysis. Oil concentration was calculated in relative oil units using Ultraviolet Fluoresence (UVF) spectrophotometry.

Limited photo synthetic impact was detected in Z. capricorni exposed to the water soluble fraction of the non-dispersed Tapis crude oil treatments. No significant photo synthetic impact was evident in the dispersed Tapis crude oil treatment even though the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration in these treatments was higher than in the non-dispersed Tapis crude oil treatments. Plants from both treatments recovered following replenishment from the surrounding seawater. A substantial reduction of the total petroleum hydrocarbons within the mesoscosms over the 10 hour exposure period was evident and would likely suggest a rapid loss of the toxic mixture to the sediments rather than assimilation by the seagrass.
EVALUATION OF TOLERANCE LIMITS FOR RESTORATION AND PHYTOREMEDIATION WITH SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORAIN CRUDE OIL-CONTAMINATED COASTAL SALT MARSHES
Authors: Lin Qianxin , Mendelssohn Irving A.
Published: January 2013

Information and knowledge about the oil tolerance of native coastal plants are limited, but are essential for restoring and remediating oil impacted habitats. Spartina alterniflora is the dominant native salt marsh plant species along the Northern Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast; the presence of this species is important to sustain healthy coastal salt marshes. The crude oil tolerance limits of S. alterniflora and its capacity to phytoremediate South Louisiana crude (SLC) oil in marsh sediments were investigated in a greenhouse. Spartina alterniflora was transplanted into marsh sediments contaminated with SLC at concentrations of 0, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640 and 800 mg/g. Plant photo synthetic rate, stem density, shoot height, aboveground biomass and belowground biomass were analyzed periodically during a one-year plant growth cycle to determine the oil tolerance limits of S. alterniflora. Most plant parameters were significantly lower at 320 and 640 mg/g of SLC oil in the soil compared to the control. No plants survived at the 800 mg/g SLC oil dosage. The tolerance limits of Spartina alterniflora were estimated between 320 mg/g and 640 mg/g of SLC oil in the soil. Furthermore, phytoremediation with S. alterniflora enhanced oil degradation; residual concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the phytoremediation treatment with S. alterniflora were significantly lower than those in oiled, unvegetated sediments for both the surface and subsurface soil at the 40 and 160 mg/g oil dosages one year after treatment. The current study shows the promise of using coastal marsh vegetation for restoring crude oil-impacted coastal wetlands and enhancing oil spill cleanup.
COMPARATIVE TOXICITY OF TWO OIL TYPES AND TWO DISPERSANTS ON THE GROWTH OF A SEASHORE GRASS, PASPALUM VAGINATUM(SWARTZ)
Authors: Ibemesim Ruth I. , Bamidele Joseph F.
Published: January 2013

The present study consists of assessing the effects of Abura heavy crude petroleum oil (AC) and Oredo light crude petroleum oil (OC) on the survival of Paspalum vaginatum. The effectiveness of two dispersants, Goldcrew and Corexit 9527, in removing oil from P. vaginatum previously sprayed with either Abura of Oredo crude petroleum oil was assessed, the effect of time of dispersant application following crude oil pollution on growth and survival of P. vaginatum was also studied. Plants treated with AC recovered after 8 days while 100% mortality was recorded for plants treated with OC + Corexit 9527 (O24C0 and O48C0). Corexit 9527 was not effective in ameliorating the lethal effects of Oredo crude oil. Although, P. vaginatum recovery was apparent 70 days after AC pollution and after cleaning with Goldcrew (A24GCand A48GC), both treatments resulted in significant (P <0.05) lower biomass and stem density compared to control. It is concluded that plants cleaned with Goldcrew dispersant after 24 h recovered faster than those cleaned after 48 h. Exposure of P. vaginatum to light crude oil or light crude oil + Corexit 9527 is detrimental and can inhibit growth where as it will recover when exposed to heavy crude oil or heavy crude oil + Goldcrew.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF OIL SPILLS IN THE INLAND WATERWAYS OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA
Authors: Danchuk S. , Willson C.S.
Published: January 2013

The demand for fossil fuels is driving the rapid expansion of the petroleum industry'S infrastructure. Louisiana'S wetlands are the most industrialized in the world. The oil industry has infiltrated every part of the Lower Mississippi River Delta (LMRD) from the fixed facilities and transport vessels traveling along inland waterways, the pipelines and canals running through the wetlands, and the offshore platforms along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. An oil spill could seriously damage the coastal wetlands that are already rapidly degrading, pollute the water supply, destroy wildlife habitat, and impact other natural economic and social resources. Additionally, proposed coastal restoration initiatives such as freshwater diversions could provide a conduit for spills to travel from the river to open wetland areas. Current inland oil fate and transport models cannot automatically be applied in the deltaic environment because they do not represent the high degree of minerals and fines in suspension, the unique characteristics of the shorelines, or the potential flow into the wetland areas. Thus, a three- dimensional oil fate and transport model was developed to investigate the behavior of oil spilled in the unique environment of the LMRD, assess the vulnerability at specific locations such as freshwater diversions from the river, and provide information for contingency and remediation plans.

Simulations of the hydrodynamics of the LMRD were generated using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Adaptive Hydraulics (ADH) modeling code. The model simulates the physical and chemical processes affecting the fate of a surface oil spill including slick advection and spreading, the vertical transport of dissolved and emulsified parcels, evaporation, dissolution, adsorption, sedimentation, re-suspension and degradation. The model estimates the distribution of oil in the surface slick, water column, sediments and atmosphere. Almost seventy percent of the Mississippi River'S sediment load is comprised of finer materials. The model is unique in using empirical predictions to describe oil'S interactions with fine suspended material and muddy shorelines. Hypothetical spills representative of the type and location of spills commonly occurring in the region were simulated to investigate the sensitivity of the system to the unique parameters. This model was developed to take advantage of the latest advances in computational fluid dynamics and weathering algorithms, while focusing on the complex hydraulics and sediment characteristics local to the Lower Mississippi River Delta.
INCORPORATING REMOTE SENSING DATA INTO A GIS FOR EMERGENCY SPILL RESPONSE AND NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Authors: Muskat Judd
Published: January 2013

In California, A GIS (Geographic Information System) is routinely employed by the Unified Command to manage, map, analyze and display convergent data during an oil spill emergency response. Collecting remote sensing data from satellite, aircraft and ground based platforms has become more common as technology advances and data acquisition expenses decrease. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) first used aerial photographs acquired in stereo pairs in both natural color and color infra-red for the MV Stuyvesant response in 1999. The aim was to map aquaculture sites in Humboldt and Arcata Bays. OSPR used satellite radar (RADARSAT-1, ERS-2) for slick detection at the MV Stuyvesant and SS Jacob Luckenbach responses. A pilot project by OSPR in 2004/05 showed the feasibility of using the RADARSAT-1 satellite for both ship detection and suspected pollution (slick) location in near real-time. At the Suisun Marsh pipeline incident in 2004 the trustee agencies and the responsible party undertook several NRDA (natural resource damage assessment) data collection efforts and studies. One study used a multispectral digital camera that was flown over the spill site on two dates several weeks apart. Interpretations from these images helped to quantify acreage affected by the pipeline release. DFG'S air force routinely obtains aerial imagery for response purposes using a standard Nikon digital SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera. These aerial photographs are geo-referenced and used as “instant” accurate base maps.
AQUEOUS SOLUBILITY, DISPERSIBILITY AND TOXICITY OF BIODIESELS
Authors: Hollebone B.P. , Fieldhouse B. , Landriault M. , Doe K. , Jackman P.
Published: January 2013

With increasing interest in the use of plant and animal oils as potential petroleum fuel replacements, there is the potential for accidental release of these biodiesels to the environment. While the behaviours and effects of petroleum diesels have been extensively studied, little is known about either the fate of biofuels in water or their potential effects on aquatic ecosystems.

The most important mechanism for exposure of aquatic ecosystems to biodiesels and petroleum diesels is the transfer of material from the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) into the aqueous phase, as both soluble and dispersed components. The equilibrium levels of fuel components in the water, the water-accommodated fractions (WAF) have been measured in fresh water for biodiesels from feedstocks of soy oil, canola oil, waste fry tallow and fish wastes. Biodiesel and petroleum diesels blends of 5% (B5) and 20% (B20) are also measured.

Aqueous toxicities are also reported for pure biodiesels and petroleum diesel. Acute toxicities were assessed by 96-hour LC5os of Daphnia magna and rainbow trout and by IC5os of bioluminescent bacteria. The correlations between acute toxicity, WAF concentrations and fuel property data are examined.

Natural and chemically-enhanced dispersion of biodiesel is examined in both low- and high-energy conditions.

Biodiesels are found to have significant differences with petroleum diesels in water chemistries and in potential ecological impacts. All organisms tested show that biodiesels have less acute toxicity than petroleum diesels. Biodiesels and biodiesel-rich blends were found to be very much more dispersible in high-energy conditions than petroleum diesel.
THE APPLICATION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS LICENSED SITE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM DURING A MARINE OIL SPILL RESPONSE
Authors: Packard Richard F. , Wozmak Richard J. , Trainer Kevin D.
Published: January 2013

The response to a marine oil spill incident in the United States involves mobilization of Federal, State, Local, and Responsible Party (RP)-contracted resources, using the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System (NIMS-ICS). The NIMS-ICS utilizing a Unified Command structure provides a mechanism for responding agencies to establish response priorities and implement cleanup strategies. A recent marine oil spill response in Massachusetts demonstrated that the incorporation of specific state environmental regulatory programs within the NIMS Unified Command system could be a challenging, but advantageous element in the successful cleanup of a marine oil spill.

On April 27, 2003, a tank barge grounded in Buzzards Bay, spilling approximately 98,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil. Early in the response, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), also the State On-Scene Coordinator (SOSC), recognized the importance of utilizing the State'S Licensed Site Professional (LSP) program to assess cleanup effectiveness, characterize residual impacts, and identify clean up endpoints. Massachusetts established the LSP program in 1993 to place greater responsibility for cleaning up sites on the private sector, reduce the burden of approvals on the MassDEP, and to accelerate the cleanup of hazardous wastes sites.

The 2003 Buzzards Bay spill was the first time that MassDEP integrated the LSP program into the early stages of a marine oil spill response and the NIMS Unified Command Structure. Including the LSP early in the process also facilitated the transition for conducting LSP-directed clean up after the NIMS Unified Command structure was deactivated. This paper describes the challenges and advantages associated with incorporating a privatized regulatory entity into this well-established and complex organizational matrix. The Massachusetts regulatory structure behind the LSP program is discussed, and recommendations are made for future application of the LSP program in marine oil spill response.