bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRIALS OF RECOVERY AND CLEANUP TECHNIQUES ON BITUMEN DERIVED FROM ORIMULSION
Authors: Clement F. , Gunter P. , Oland D.
Published: January 2013

Orimulsion is the trade name for a fine, bitumen-in-water emulsion produced in Venezuela by Bitor S.A. However, when it is spilled in seawater, its dispersibility does not always prevent bitumen from resurfacing as films or patches. The physical properties of the material that resurfaces (i.e., viscosity and cohesiveness) are a function of those of the natural bitumen from which Orimulsion is prepared and represent a serious challenge for oil spill response.

To address manufacturers’ and operators’ concerns about dealing effectively with such a spill, trials were organized by Cedre at its test facilities on behalf of Bitor Europe Limited and SK Power and National Power and with the participation of OSRL. The aim was to test recovery and cleaning processes to cope with bitumen originating from a spill of Orimulsion. The trials recreated a bitumen pollution incident on a Cedre lagoon and artificial beach and evaluated various recovery and cleanup equipment.

The tests showed that there is no one collecting or cleaning device that can be recommended to the exclusion of all others. Instead, different options have been highlighted, depending on the various forms that bitumen can take (films, patches, tar balls, “tea leaves “), its state (fresh or weathered), and the shoreline substrates.

On water, skimming and pumping a slick of bitumen is generally difficult because of the cohesive nature and the high viscosity of the product. On the other hand, a trawl net managed to collect bitumen lumps floating on the lagoon and accumulated them into a disposable sock.

On the shore, mechanical screening proved successful in recovering weathered bitumen on the artificial sand beach. Manual collection is also efficient when bitumen forms cohesive slicks. Pressure cleaners removed bitumen from hard surfaces when accumulations were first scraped off and a cleaning product was applied. Coated pebbles could be cleaned by mixing them with solvent in a cement mixer; recommended cleaning agents were petroleum cuts with low aromatic content. Contaminated sand could also be washed using a scrubbing machine.

Overall, these trials proved that solutions exist to cope with a spillage of Orimulsion bitumen. Operational conclusions were drawn that incorporated bitumen fate, shoreline types, and logistic considerations.
PROGRESS IN COMBATING OIL POLLUTION IN CHINA SINCE 19901
Authors: Baokang Pu
Published: January 2013

China has made remarkable progress in oil pollution prevention and control during the past 20 years; most of these advances are summarized in a paper in the proceedings of the 1989 Oil Spill Conference. This paper introduces achievements in the same areas 5 years since that conference. It covers legislation and its implementation; equipment, materials, and methods of usage with some national characteristics; scientific studies carried out in various institutes and colleges; monitoring of oil spills on land, in ports, and at sea by the local National Environment Protection Agent (????), the Harbor Superin-tendency Administration (HSA), and the National Oceanographic Bureau (NOB), respectively; education, training, and information services; and international activities, including Chinese delegates performance dealing with Annex I: Prevention of Pollution by Oil of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (1973) as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) of IMO. China must keep a balance between economic growth and pollution prevalency, a challenge compounded by a shortage of financial support.
RESPONSE RESOURCE INVENTORY
Authors: Van Zandt CDR Robert A. , Williams Jorice
Published: January 2013

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 mandated the creation of a national database of response resources. This has been accomplished with the creation of the Response Resource Inventory (RRI) located and maintained at the National Strike Force Coordination Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Recent revisions to the Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) classification program have mandated the use of the RRI by OSRO applicants. This poster session will describe how data are obtained from OSRO applicants, how they are manipulated to determine the OSRO's classifications, and how plan holders can access and use the RRI as a tool to conduct their own analysis of an OSRO's capacity to meet their specific planning requirements.
PILOT-SCALE STUDIES FOR HYDRAULIC WASHING OF OILED SHORELINE
Authors: Ladanowski Caroline , Bushra Hamid , Somers Andrew
Published: January 2013

The cleanup of beaches during the Nestucca, the Exxon Valdez, and other spills has presented significant technological and logistical problems. There is a need for empirical data on the performance of different shoreline treatment methods for the vast array of shoreline substrates. The Emergencies Engineering Division (EED) of Environment Canada is currently evaluating the use of hydraulic washing in three phases at the pilot scale for the removal of oil from contaminated shoreline. This paper presents the results of the first phase, which investigates the effects of hydraulic washing pressure and temperature of fresh wash water and washing and of weathering time on the removal of Bunker C from contaminated ceramic tiles.
THE NORTH CAPE SPILL: AN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SUCCESS STORY
Authors: Hall Christopher , Lehmann Stephen M. , Curl Virginia , Hurwitz Eliot
Published: January 2013

Information management during the North Cape spill was successful on many levels. Communication within the incident command system (ICS) was exceptionally efficient. New information technology, including digital cameras and World Wide Web home pages, was used to disseminate pictures and spill status information. On-line interviews with the federal on-scene coordinator (FOSC) and experts from the NOAA Scientific Support Team helped to provide information to the affected community and interested persons and organizations around the world. This poster session will show examples of the products and technologies that were available to the incident command staff and the general public.
THE NEXT GENERATION IN OIL WEATHERING MODELING
Authors: Lehr W. , Overstreet R. , Jones R. , Eclipse L. , Simecek-Beatty D.
Published: January 2013

Through a project jointly funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS), the Hazardous Material Response and Assessment Division of NOAA (NOAA/HAZMAT) has developed the next generation of the widely used oil weathering model, ADIOS. The algorithms for spreading, emulsification, dispersion, and evaporation have been modified to accommodate new research results. Also, the new version contains a source strength module that estimates leak rates from damaged vessels and new user inputs that allow decisions on the application of standard cleanup strategies such as skimming, burning, and chemical dispersion. Sensitivity analysis is used to identify the relative importance of input parameters and to estimate the reliability of model output results in terms of expected input uncertainty.
UTILIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY IN MARINE OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLANNING, RESPONSE, AND TRAINING
Authors: Champ Michael A. , Nordvik Atle B. , Simmons James L.
Published: January 2013

This paper discusses a newly developed scientific and engineering planning and decision-making tool, the technology windows-of-opportunity concept, and how it can be used for marine oil spill contingency planning, response, education, and training on a global basis. The “windows-of-opportunity” approach provides a common foundation for the development of a rapid and cost-effective tool for oil spill contingency planning and spill response decision making. It is intended for use by state and federal agencies, response planners, cleanup organizations (responders), insurance companies, tanker owners, and transporters. The “windows” concept has the potential for significant environmental and cost benefits in spill response. It will provide policymakers and decision makers with a scientifically based and documented “tool” in oil spill response that has not been available before.
DEGRADATION OF CRUDE OIL ENHANCED BY COMMERCIAL MICROBIAL CULTURES
Authors: Aldrett Salvador , Bonner James S. , McDonald Thomas J. , Mills Marc A. , Autenrieth Robin L.
Published: January 2013

Remediation and cleanup of oil spills has been attempted using different technologies. Biological methods such as bioremediation have been favored over others due to their cost efficiency and their low environmental impact. Bioremediation of Alaska North Slope crude oil was effectively attempted in a laboratory study using 13 commercial products. The products containing the microorganisms were provided by different vendors. The treatments were tested over a 28-day period, and the samples were extracted and analyzed using standard methods. After 28 days, four products showed an effective enhancement of the bioremediation process: the saturate fraction was degraded approximately 80%, and the aromatic fraction was degraded approximately 70%. Biological markers such as pristane, phytane, and C30 hopane were partially degraded.
A DECISION PROCESS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SHORELINE RESPONSE OPERATIONS
Authors: Owens Edward H.
Published: January 2013

A decision process is described that supports the concept of management by objectives. This eight-step process is based on the definition of objectives and strategies, which in turn are evaluated with respect to feasibility and are applied to shoreline protection and shoreline treatment. Standard objective and strategy statements provide all management and operations personnel with a set of instructions or goals that reduces the potential for misinterpretation or incorrect application.
Development and Implementation of The Dispersant Observation Job Aid
Authors: Levine Edwin A.
Published: January 2013

The Job Aid is a field guide for dispersant observers after formal training. Individuals are prepared to observe applications by different platforms and able to competently describe their observations back to a command structure for decision making. The observer is not a controller or spotter for the actual application operation. For field durability it is formatted as bound 5″×7″plastic-coated cards.

This Job Aid focuses on supporting the “Observation of Aerial Applications of Dispersants” training. This training imparts the ability to identify oil, describe its characteristics, and make recommendations back to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) concerning future dispersant actions. The observer's recommendations to the Unified Command (UC) may range from “continue operations,” “modify operations,” or “cease operations.”, The training is based upon the supposition that the decision to use dispersants has already been made. The training does not attempt to cover the decision making process. It is incumbent on the individual to be familiar with the local and regional policies regarding use of dispersants and subsequent monitoring requirements. This job aid should be used in conjunction with the “Open Water Oil Identification Job Aid for Aerial Observation” to help describe the surface oil.
Toxicity of Dispersants and Dispersed Oil To An Alaskan Marine Organism
Authors: Rhoton Sara L. , Perkins Robert A. , Richter Zachary D. , Behr-Andres Christina , Lindstrom Jon E. , Braddock Joan F.
Published: January 2013

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) conducted toxicity assays on Alaskan tanner crab larvae (Chionoecetes bairdi) using the oil dispersant Corexit 9500, Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil, and dispersed ANS crude oil. These tests were conducted in Seward, Alaska using filtered saltwater at ambient temperature (6°C) and salinity (35%c). Similar toxicity assays were conducted at UAF on the reference species Mysidopsis bahia and Menidia beryllina under standard testing conditions (25°C and 20%c salinity). The methods used for these tests were developed by the Chemical Response to Oil Spills: Ecological Research Forum (CROSERF) and involve both continuous and spiked (declining concentration) exposure testing regimes.

Toxicity data, expressed as EC50, were calculated using the defined response of “Affected,” as the typical response was decreased phototatic response; death as an endpoint was not often observed. The larvae were evaluated and placed into the following categories: Alive, Affected, Mortally Affected, and Dead. Results suggest that the tanner crab larvae are generally more resistant (EC50 = 355 mg/L) than M. beryllina (LC50 = 205 mg/L) and less resistant than M. bahia (LC50 = 622 mg/L) to dispersant solutions under spiked exposure.
The Toxicity of Oil-Contaminated Sediments During Bioremediation of a Wetland
Authors: Mueller Danica C. , Bonner James S. , Autenrieth Robin L. , Lee Kenneth , Doe Kenneth
Published: January 2013

Inorganic nutrients were applied to oiled wetland sediments during an experiment to assess the effect of enhanced bioremediation on petroleum degradation and toxicity reduction. For a period of 6 months after the controlled application of oil to experimental plots, oiled wetland sediment samples were tested for acute toxicity. The three treatments evaluated were an oiled control, inorganic nutrient addition, and inorganic nutrient addition plus an alternate electron acceptor. Sediment toxicity was assessed using Microtox® and amphipod bioassays. The Microtox® 100% Test detected significant sediment toxicity up to 29 days after oil and treatment application while the Solid-Phase Test detected significant sediment toxicity up to Day 15. The Microtox 100%® Test showed elevated toxicity on Day 8 for nutrient plus alternate electron acceptor plots and reduced toxicity on Day 15 for nutrient plots, relative to oiled controls. The observed decrease in sediment toxicity from the Microtox® assays correlated with petroleum losses. Oiled sediments were initially highly toxic to amphipods with average mortality rates ranging from 86 to 92%. Amphipod mortality decreased significantly 71 days after treatment to between 47 and 28%. However, a significant increase in mortality was observed at Day 140 in plots receiving nutrient amendments, possibly due to elevated ammonia levels.
Summary of Spill Events In Canada 1984–1995
Authors: Cloutier Gilles , Boersma Dora , Charlebois Patricia , Hazra Asit , Lau Carol , Thakur Raj
Published: January 2013

In November 1998, Environment Canada published a report called “Summary of Spill Events in Canada, 1984–1995.” The report provides a detailed analysis of spill information gathered from several agencies across the country. The poster includes the following:Statistical analysis and spill trends presented as a series of graphs that explore spills for seven key industry sectors, and that look at the sources, causes, and reasons of spills, as well as the distribution of spills sizes.Trends over the 12-year period, that show spill frequency and volume over time. A key finding is that the quality of spill reporting, as measured by median spill size in Canada, has steadily progressed throughout the period.
Selecting a Preferred Restoration Alternative for the Julie N Oil Spill
Authors: Reilly Timothy J. , Csulak Frank , Van Cott Paul
Published: January 2013

The selection of preferred restoration alternatives during the restoration planning phase of a natural resource damage assessment occurs through the implementation of a multifaceted process. This process requires identifying the nature and extent of resources injured by an oil spill; identifying appropriate restoration alternatives which address the resources injured, scaling the restoration alternatives to quantified injuries and selecting the most appropriate restoration option(s) for implementation with appropriate public participation.

The Trustee Council for the Julie N oil spill, occurring in Portland Harbor, Maine, on September 27, 1996, is currently undergoing this process. This paper presents the major activities associated with selecting the preferred restoration options, and offers lessons learned to date, regarding the implementation of this process.
Integration Use of GIS and Web-GIS for the Oil-Spill Incident Making Use of Some Lessons from the Nakhodka Oil-Spill Disaster in January 1997
Authors: Goto Shintaro , Oyama Hayato
Published: January 2013

This research deals with a Web-GIS application to prevent nearshore damage from environmental disaster such as the Nakhodka oil spill, which occurred on January 2, 1997, in the Sea of Japan.

In the Nakhodka oil-spill disaster, information was provided from various places to the Internet, as the oil moved north in the Sea of Japan. However, the character-based information was updated hour by hour during the event, so it was difficult to unify the data. Moreover, considering that information was needed by a total of 770,000 volunteers gathered for oil-spill restoration, it was important to transfer the information on the incident in a timely manner. In such a situation, software, which could offer information on management of the nearshore environment, was needed. The authors constructed the Web-GIS to offer information linked to a map on the World Wide Web using CGI (Common Gateway Interface).

In a situation such as the nearshore region in Japan, which is controlled by two or more organizations, this system was effective in unifying information about the disaster. Moreover, because there is the possibility that many people in various fields would take part in damage prevention from an environmental disaster like the Nakhodka oil spill, Web-GIS can offer and standardize the information for various organizations. and integral use of GIS in the client server and Web-GIS can offer many domestic information to the decision maker in the oil-spill incident including the political judgement.
Improving Communication Through Public Relations Research1
Authors: Milbury Jim
Published: January 2013

Public affairs programs often communicate with their customers, or publics, in simply one direction. During a pollution incident press releases are generated and sent to the news media, corporate executives give positive sound bites for the evening news, and reporters' questions are answered. Evidence of whether the response and cleanup was successful is typically evaluated by the slant of the television or newspaper reports. However, public opinion may radically differ with what is being reported. It is important, therefore, to have a public relations methodology established to directly measure public opinion. It is especially important to measure a “baseline” opinion before an incident occurs that will help determine the variance of public perception in your community and clearly determine if, and by how much, your corporate image has been damaged or improved. This paper will offer usable suggestions of how to measure, both quantitatively and qualitatively, public opinion.
Training and Technical Progression: “A Synergistic Success”
Authors: Linderman Ken , Glover Nick
Published: January 2013

Today's jobs in the spill response industry require a combination of a various technical skills and training to ensure an appropriate level of readiness is maintained. In addition, dedicated spill response team members must exhibit a combination of “soft skills,” such as leadership, communication, and teamwork, in order to sustain effective spill response operations.

In pursuit of a comprehensive system for measuring, tracking and developing these attributes, Alaska Clean Seas developed a “Technician Progression Program” that provides the spill response technicians meaningful standards and a guide to develop these skills.

As a result, the program sustains a priority for safety, builds personnel competencies, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides a clear and measurable path for technician advancement and organizational growth.
Optimizing Hydraulic Cleaning Techniques for Oiled Coarse Sediment Beaches: Meso-Scale Field Trials
Authors: Mauseth Gary , Erickson Gerald , Sergy Gary , Blenkinsopp Sandra
Published: January 2013

The objectives of this ongoing study are to: (1) determine the biological effects on intertidal biota associated with the use of hydraulic cleaning techniques, and (2) develop data on environmentally optimum combinations of hydraulic cleaning parameters for use by oil spill responders. This report presents the initial results of the meso-scale field trials phase of the project. Hydraulic cleaning parameters examined in the meso-scale field trials were: (1) water pressures from deluge to approximately 10.0 psi (69.0 kPa), (2) water temperatures from ambient to 60°C. In 1997, groups of colonized cobbles were collected from a donor beach in Lizzie Cove on Hunter Island, British Columbia, dosed with Bunker C fuel oil, and treated at various combinations of water pressure and temperature. Species monitored included the algae Fucus spp. and Mastocarpus papillatus; the barnacle Balarus glandula, limpets (Lottiidae) and snails (Littorina spp.). Un-treated oiled and unoiled controls were also established. The treated and control sets of cobbles were returned to the original donor beach and allowed to recover subject to natural environmental conditions, including predation and recruitment. Biological observations of abundance and mortality were made immediately post-treatment (48 to 72 hours) and 1 year post-treatment. These data were then statistically compared within treatment groups, between years and to control cobble data. Among the main findings of the meso-scale field trials were: (1) greater mortality at all treatment levels 1 year post-treatment for Fucus spp., Balanus glandula, Lottiidae and Littorina spp. (with some exceptions), than seen immediately post-treatment. Trends in the data over increasing temperatures and pressures seen immediately post-treatment are not apparent 1 year post-treatment; (2) dramatic increases in the percent coverage of Mastocarpus papillatus were observed 1 year post-treatment as compared with pre-treatment coverage, including the unoiled control; (3) 1 year post-treatment, no significant differences were seen between mortalities in the various treatment combinations and the untreated, oiled control for Fucus spp. and Balanus glandula; and (4) preliminary evidence exists that pressure washing of oiled cobbles at high pressures and temperatures has negative effects on recruitment in Balanus glandula.
Sorbents for Oil and Chemical Spills: Development of Methodology To Assess Environmental Impact
Authors: Fejes Jonas , Zetterberg Anne , Andersson Stefan , Svenson Anders
Published: January 2013

Today it is impossible for a sorbent user to choose a sorbent with the lowest or acceptable environmental impact for his application—especially if he wants to know the total impact from production to disposal of the sorbent. The aim is to develop a method that gives information about the environmental impact from all phases of a sorbent's life cycle.

The first experiments within the project are being performed to evaluate the assessment of ecotoxicological tests on leachate from pure sorbent. The tests are: Microtox (bacteria), algae, potworm, plant, crustacean, and zebra fish. Further the influence of different leaching parameters has been studied with regards to their toxic response with Microtox. This has been accomplished by using a fractional factorial design and from the results a methodology for leaching pure sorbents has been developed. Some of the tests are still being performed whereas it is too early to make an evaluation of all of the results, but as expected some tests like Microtox, algae, and zebra fish rank the sorbents differently after toxicity. The plant tests did not show any toxicity.

The multivariate study of the influence of leaching parameters on the toxic response shows that the influential parameters differ with different sorbents. The parameters showed both individual and interaction effects.
Maintaining Ecosystem Integrity Using Geographic-Specific Tactical Response Plans
Authors: Lederer Cynthia A. , Kichner Jerzy J.
Published: January 2013

There were approximately 7,900 oil spills reported to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) totaling 410,000 gallons in the navigable waterways of the United States in 1997. The USCG acts as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for coastal oil spills and is responsible for ensuring an environmental and economic balanced oil clean up operation. The majority of oil spill responses are reactive in nature and driven by the need to remove the oil from the environment expeditiously in concurrence with public expectations. In a reactive response the primary focus is on the removal of oil with less emphasis on the ecosystem integrity of an area due to time constraints. A proactive response is an environmentally driven response, which is referred to as an “environmental response.” An environmental response is accomplished utilizing Geographic-Specific Tactical Response Plans (GSTRPs) to select response options based on area specific environmental concerns. Essential to the effective use of this system is the identification and prioritization of environmentally sensitive areas and the designation of divisions prior to an oil spill. The GSTRPs compile information in the Area Contingency Plan (ACP) into a tactical field resource document. The required information in the ACPs have turned them into a cumulative response database. The GSTRPs balance the environment and maritime commerce by providing a field tool, which identifies area specific biological, ecological, physical, chemical, archaeo-cultural, and socio-economic concerns. The information in these plans allows minimal oversight and decreases the time spent on decision making during the first 24 hours of a response. This tool is reality-based for required resources, protection strategies, and area size. It was developed specifically for use in the Incident Command System and is effectively an Incident Action Plan for the first crucial hours of oil spill response operations.
Oil Spill Recovery Methods for Inlets, Rivers, and Canals
Authors: Wong Kau-Fui Vincent , Kusijanovic Ivo P.
Published: January 2013

The objective of this research is to design and test a boom arrangement that will have a collection efficiency which is better than that of simple booms. The design arrangement consisted of a ramp at an angle to the water level and of a set of five simple booms, not all with the same skirt-lengths. The variable parameters in the boom geometry tested were the angle of attack of the ramp and the horizontal separation of the ramp from the other booms. Tests were done at two different velocities. There was enough data for the flow velocity of 1.3 ft/s (2.8 knots) to derive correlations between these geometry variables and the oil collection efficiency. From the experiments in the open channel apparatus it was found that this boom arrangement was quite effective, collecting around 98% of the spilled oil when the angle of attack and horizontal separation reached their optimum values. The analysis shows a projected maximum collection efficiency of 99%. The experiments also showed that four simple booms are more than adequate, with the last one having a longer skirt.
Coastal High Marsh Oil Spill Cleanup By Burning: 5-Year Evaluation
Authors: Hyde Larry J. , Withers Kim , Tunnell J.W.
Published: January 2013

On 7 January 1992, rupture of an underground oil transfer pipeline spilled 2,950 barrels of South Texas light crude oil (API gravity 37) into a high salt-marsh environment along Chiltipin Creek near Bayside, San Patricio County, Texas. The designated state On-Scene Coordinator, the Texas General Land Office (TGLO), after coordination with other resource agencies, authorized in situ burning as the primary cleanup technique. Plant frequencies, plant biomass, and hydrocarbon levels in impacted and control areas were monitored between October 1992 and January 1998. Despite severe initial damage, most of the impacted area was revegetated within the first two growing seasons. However, significant differences in vegetation patterns between the two areas continued to exist in January 1998. Linear regression of plant frequency data gives a predicted recovery in the year 2007 (14–15 years post-burn). Plant biomass in the impacted area approximated levels in the control area after only 2 years. Hydrocarbon concentrations in the impacted area remained high after 3 years, but a strong correlation to vegetation patterns over time was not apparent. Results of this study supports the hypothesis that use of in situ burning as a response tool has distinct advantages over other countermeasures.
Smart: Scientific Monitoring of Advanced Response Technologies
Authors: Barnea Nir , Laferriere Roger
Published: January 2013

SMART (Scientific Monitoring of Advanced Response Technologies) is a new monitoring program designed to provide the Unified Command with real-time field data when in situ burning and dispersants are used during oil spill response.

For dispersant monitoring, SMART recommends a three-tiered approach. Tier I has visual observation by trained observers from vessels or from aerial platforms. Tier II combines visual observations with water-column sampling using a fluorometer at a single depth. Tier III expands the fluorometry monitoring to several water depths, and uses a water-quality lab. Water samples for later analysis and correlation of fluorometry readings are taken both in Tier II and Tier III.

For in situ burning, SMART recommends deploying three or more monitoring teams, each equipped with a real-time particulate monitor with data-logging capability. The teams deploy downwind of the burn at sensitive locations, and report particulate concentration trends to the Unified Command.
In Situ Burning Wave Tank Tests at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska1
Authors: Buist Ian , McCourt James , Mullin Joseph V. , Glover Nick W. , Hutton Charlene , McHale Jim
Published: January 2013

A series of research burns was carried out in the fall of 1997 in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in a new wave tank purpose-built for oil spill research and training. These tests were the culmination of a 3-year research project by Alaska Clean Seas (ACS) and S.L. Ross into the effects of oil type, emulsification, temperature and waves on in situ burning in Arctic open water conditions. The 1997 experimental program involved conducting mid-scale burns with fresh and weathered Alaska North Slope (ANS) and Milne Pt. crude oils and emulsion slicks in waves, including tests involving the addition of emulsion breakers. Emulsion breakers are surface active chemicals which are added at very low dosages (1:500 to 1:5000) to petroleum emulsions to promote separation of the emulsion into discrete oil and water phases.
Fish and Wildlife Recovery Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Authors: Wiens John A. , Brannon Ernest L. , Garshelis David L. , Burns John , Hoover-Miller Anne A. , Day Robert H. , Johnson Charles B. , Murphy Stephen M.
Published: January 2013

The authors review studies of four taxa—pink salmon, sea otters, harbor seals, and several species of sea-birds—widely believed to have suffered severe impacts from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. These studies were conducted over a 10-year post-spill period and included pre-spill information where possible. They demonstrated earlier suggestions of negative impacts may have been unfounded (harbor seals) or the species either exhibited no obvious detrimental effects from the spill (pink salmon population runs, population density and habitat occupancy of half the 23 seabird species examined) or indicated impacts followed by clear evidence of subsequent recovery (sea otters, the remaining seabird species). These species' apparent resilience to perturbations such as oil spills may be related to these ecosystems' high natural variability. Evaluating spill effects is enhanced by long-term studies that recognize the natural variability of marine environments and use a rigorous study design. The results of such studies also must be interpreted objectively, free of preconceptions about spill effects and divorced from advocacy positions.
In Situ Burning: After-Action Review1(Successful Burn 48 Hours After Discharge)
Authors: Clark Tricia , Martin Robert D.
Published: January 2013

A spill in May 1997, forced responders to think “outside the box” and utilize ingenuity and skills learned from previous experiences. The Region VI RRT Guidelines for In-shore/Near-shore In Situ Burn, while providing the framework for the plan, had to be modified on site to meet the special parameters this spill presented.Responders had not had previous opportunities to burn this type of environment and were not sure what type of successes to expect.The initial burn was to be conducted well outside of what is normally considered the window of opportunity for in situ burning.PM-10 monitors were to be utilized to monitor smoke plume fallout particle size.It was determined by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) that RRT approval was not necessary and deferred to the consensus among state agencies having jurisdiction.

This response indicates inland/nearshore burns will continue to be utilized as a response tool and points to the need for ongoing evaluations and adjustments to pre-approvals and guidance documents responders utilize.
Past In Situ Burning Possibilities
Authors: Yoshioka Gary , Wong Eva , Grossman Beverly , Drake Wendy , Urban Robert W. , Hudon Tom , Hiltabrand Robert R.
Published: January 2013

This study evaluates the feasibility of conducting in situ burning (ISB) on past major oil spills (i.e., spills since 1967 over 10,000 barrels in North America and over 50,000 barrels in South America and Europe) using current technology. A diverse set of 141 spills representing various combinations of parameters affecting spill response (e.g., spill size, oil type, weather conditions, sea temperature, and geographic location) initially were evaluated using four “Phase I” criteria: distance to populated area, oil weathering, logistics, and weather conditions. In Phase I, a spill that failed to meet one of the four criteria was considered an “unsuccessful” candidate for ISB. Spills that met all four criteria were further evaluated using a “Phase II” analysis that applied additional criteria and considered individual spill circumstances to determine if the spill should be rated a “successful,” “marginal call,” or “unsuccessful” ISB candidate.

In total, 47 of the 141 spills passed the Phase I analysis. Fourteen spills were ultimately determined successful in the Phase II analysis, and 12 were designated marginal calls. Proximity to populated areas was the most significant of the four Phase I criteria; 59 of the 141 spills did not pass Phase I because the incident occurred near a sizable city.
Environmental Effects of In Situ Burning in Inland and Upland Environments
Authors: Zengel Scott A. , Dahlin Jeffrey A. , Headley Carrie , Michel Jacqueline , Fritz David E.
Published: January 2013

In situ burning of inland and upland habitats is an alternative oil spill cleanup technique that, when used appropriately, may be more environmentally acceptable than intrusive manual, mechanical, and chemical treatments. There have been few published reports documenting the environmental effects of in situ burning in inland and upland habitats. Thus, this study, sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, used two approaches to increase the knowledge base and improve the appropriate use of in situ burning: (1) detailed review of published and unpublished in situ burn case histories for inland and upland spills; and (2) summaries of fire effects and other information from the literature on fire ecology and prescribed burning. Thirty-one case histories were summarized to identify the state of the practice concerning the reasons for burning, favorable conditions for burning, and evaluations of burn effects. The fire ecology and effects summaries included background information from the extensive knowledge base surrounding wildfire and prescribed burning (without oil) as a natural resource management tool, as well as fire tolerance and burning considerations for dominant vegetation types of the United States. Results from these two approaches should improve the application of in situ burning for inland and upland spills.
A New Planning Approach to the Protection and Monitoring of Sensitive Resources: A Case Study-Thailand
Authors: Tyler Andrew , Moore Jon , Chongprasith Pornsook
Published: January 2013

An integrated Environmental Recovery Plan has been developed to assist in decision making during the response to sensitive resources impacted by a marine oil spill. The Plan is contained in a field handbook with six clearly defined stages. Implementation of the Plan commences with a definition of the impacted area, supported by use of oil spill models. The overall priority of the region, followed by the priority of individual resources is then assessed with supporting data provided by a detailed GIS. This permits individual resources to be assessed through sensitivity summaries, key consideration summaries, priority decision trees, response guidelines, and finally, guidelines for monitoring and assessment. The Plan has been specifically designed to provide rapid advice to response teams during emergency incidents ensuring that sensitive resources receive the optimum response to minimise damage and enhance recovery.
Effect of Dispersants on Oil Biodegradation Under Simulated Marine Conditions
Authors: Swannell Richard P. J. , Daniel Fabien
Published: January 2013

A study was undertaken on the dispersion, microbial colonisation and biodegradation of chemically-dispersed weathered Forties crude oil under simulated marine conditions in laboratory microcosms. The measurements of droplet size, number and microbial colonisation were made using new techniques developed by the project team. Rapid growth of indigenous micro-organisms capable of degrading both crude oil and dispersants was observed in the presence of chemically-dispersed oil. These organisms colonised the dispersed oil and biodegraded the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. These processes was stimulated by the addition of inorganic nutrients. Some colonised droplets agglomerated into neutrally-buoyant “clusters” (100 µm- 2 mm diameter) consisting of oil, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. After substantial hydrocarbon biodegradation these clusters sank to the bottom of the microcosms. No biodegradation or cluster formation was noted in “killed” controls in which biological activity had been inhibited. Different dispersants promoted microbial growth to differing extents. These results suggest that the addition of dispersants can increase the rate of oil biodegradation under natural conditions by promoting the growth of indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, as well as increasing the surface area of oil available for microbial colonisation.
Identification and Differentiation of Light- and Middle-Distillate Petroleum for NRDA Using Chemical Forensics
Authors: Uhler Allen D. , Stout Scott A. , McCarthy Kevin J. , Seavey Julie A. , Uhler Richard M.
Published: January 2013

The need for identification, delineation, and differentiation of petroleum-derived contaminants in support of NRDA investigations of chronic or catastrophic release of petroleum is paramount for the equitable settlement of damages related to the incidents. Significant advances have been made over the last decade with regard to these issues for crude oil and heavy residual fuels, but less emphasis has been place on the forensic chemistry of light- and middle-distillates. Historically, identification and differentiation among similar light-distillates by standard EPA methods have been hampered by analytical limitations. In this paper the authors suggest analysis of light-distillate products begin with a chromatographic profile obtained using a modified EPA 8015 GC/FID. Subsequently, the detailed chemical composition of the distillate products is accomplished via a modified version of EPA Method 8260, examining a targeted list of diagnostic petroleum compounds in the C5 to C12 range that represent five important categories of hydrocarbons: Paraffins, Isoparaffins, Aromatics, Naphthenes, and Olefins. Detailed analysis of over 50 2–6 ring PAH and related heteroatomics from a modified EPA 8270 GC/MS analysis can be used to compliment the data set. The analysis of the full suite of hydrocarbons across a broad molecular weight range provides much of the information necessary to identify and distinguish among light- and middle-distillate products.
Total Indonesie Contingency Planning in the Mahakam Delta
Authors: Grandprat Michel , Dwistiadi Dyan , Widiarso Didik , Tiercelin Claudine , Menot Lénaïck
Published: January 2013

TOTAL Indonesie has been active for 25 years in the Mahakam delta, an area with high ecological and socio-economic sensitivity. The last decade was characterised by an outstanding development of aquaculture activities closely overlapping the oil and gas operations, themselves expanding throughout the delta. To avoid potential conflicts arising from divergent interests and to ensure a harmonious coexistence between the different delta users, TOTAL Indonesie has developed a sound environmental management including a quick and effective Tier 1 spill response system based on a permanent brigade of skilled operators fitted with a large set of spill control equipment, and supported by risk assessment computerized tools allowing the optimisation in real time of the counter-measures to be applied. Additional resources can be made available at local, national and international levels thanks to the vertical integration of TOTAL Indonesie's spill response system into the vast national Oil Spill Response Network.
Identification of the Source(s) of Unknown Spilled Oils
Authors: Wang Zhendi , Fingas Mervin F.
Published: January 2013

The ability to unambiguously identify spilled oils and petroleum products in complex contaminated environmental samples and to link them to the known sources is extremely important in settling questions of environmental impacts and liability. This paper will briefly review advanced chemical fingerprinting and data interpreting techniques used to identify sources of spilled oils. The chemical fingerprinting techniques discussed include pattern recognition evaluation of target petroleum hydrocarbon distributions; determination of major oil components and hydrocarbon groups; determination of diagnostic ratios of source-specific marker compounds such as PAHs and biomarkers; target PAH isomer analysis; and carbon isotopic ratio analysis. Methods for distinguishing biogenic and pyrogenic hydrocarbons from petrogenic hydrocarbons are also addressed. Several examples are presented to illustrate approaches to identifying and allocating multiple sources of hydrocarbons in complex hydrocarbon mixtures using these advanced chemical fingerprinting techniques.
Two-Component Model for Crude Oil Evaporation and its Application to Weathering Prediction
Authors: Tasaki Ryo , Ogawa Akihiro
Published: January 2013

The model approximates a crude oil as a mixture of an evaporating and non-evaporating component of which the physico-chemical properties are calculated by their composing fractions. The ordinary differential equation with separated variables derived from the model yields a concept of the evaporation time constant TQ that is defined by the initial oil properties and thickness, and the ambient temperature and wind speed. The evaporation ratios Q measured in flume tests on six types of Middle East crude oils are analyzed for the elapsed time non-dimensionalized by TQ. The measured values collapse well to a single straight line Q-log(t/TQ) for each type of oil, independently of emulsification and wave disturbance. A single line common to all the six types of oils is enough for rough estimation. A method using the common line or, more accurately, a line derived from the distillation test of each type of oil is proposed for evaporation prediction.

Further analyses of the test results reveal the one-to-one correspondence between evaporation and properties (viscosity and density) of evaporated residual water-free oil. Formulae using the correspondence are suggested for estimating the properties of residual oil.

The influences of substrates and thickness of an oil slick on evaporation and oil properties were examined in a small-scale laboratory. The laboratory tests are discussed as a useful procedure for obtaining basic prediction data.
Best Achievable Response—Integration of Policy, Science, and Law
Authors: Champ Michael A. , Ornitz Barbara E.
Published: January 2013

In today's era of regulation and legislation, good contingency planning requires an understanding of the role and responsibility of all involved in the prevention, response, and cleanup of an oil spill. Environmental crimes, environmental damages, and implementation of the ISM Code mandate a safety culture in policy and technological prevention and response for oil spills. Just as an appreciation of the shift in policy and law is necessary for good planning, so too is a more scientifically and technologically based response. “Best Achievable Response” involves a multi-disciplinary approach to spill cleanup. “Window s-of-Opportunity” is a highly useful planning tool to achieve the optimum response in the event of a spill.
Deepwater Blowouts: Modeling for Oil Spill Contingency Planning, Monitoring, and Response
Authors: Reed Mark , Johansen Øistein , Rye Henrik , Ekrol Narve , Singsaas Ivar , Daling Per S. , Brandvik Per Johan
Published: January 2013

This paper describes work in progress in the Environmental Engineering Division of SINTEF's Applied Chemistry Institute in Trondheim, Norway. The modeling work relies heavily on past and planned future field and laboratory work for calibration and verification data. Because these data remain incomplete, the results presented are tentative. The deepwater blowout model DeepBlow includes hydrate formation, gas dissolution, and separation of bubbles and oil droplets from the oil-gas-water plume as key processes which have been ignored in previous models, and which appear extremely important in determining the dynamics of the blowout plume. Time-variable vertical current profiles and the vertical density profile affect the depth of penetration of the plume. The oil droplet distribution in the blowout plume, combined with the above factors, determines to a large extent the time-varying footprint of the oil on the sea surface. Oil Spill Contingency And Response (OSCAR) model simulations demonstrate that mechanical response may be reasonably effective, or not, depending on the eventual correct values of key underlying parameters. Future field trials will be critical in establishing such values. The results demonstrate the usefulness of these models as tools for guidance of environmental monitoring and response activities during an actual blowout event.