bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disaster at Nightingale – The Wreck of the MS Oliva at the World's Remotest Island: Lessons Learned for Resource Managers in Remote Areas
Authors: Guggenheim David E. , Glass Trevor 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
The Tristan da Cunha island group represents the second largest concentration of sea birds in the world. More than 65 percent of the world's endangered Northern Rockhopper penguin population is found here. Nightingale Island holds more than 100,000 pairs of Northern Rockhopper penguins, 20,000 pairs of albatrosses including the yellow nose albatross, and 2,000,000 pairs of Broadbill prions. The island is also home to the highly-endangered Tristan Bunting. Only 50 pairs remain in the world, all of which are found on Nightingale Island.
On March 16, 2011 at 430am, the 75,300 ton Maltese freighter Oliva, en route from Santos, Brazil to China with a cargo of soybeans ran aground onto the rocks at Nightingale Island's northwestern corner. Less than 12 hours later, Oliva broke apart on the rocks and spilling more than 300,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil around Nightingale Island, resulting in the oiling of thousands of endangered Northern Rockhopper penguins.
A desperate rescue and rehabilitation effort followed, led by SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). However, the extreme remoteness of Tristan da Cunha – 1,500 miles from Cape Town South Africa with no airport or landing strip -- proved to be an insurmountable challenge.
An investigation report by the Maltese government released in late 2012 revealed the series of errors and procedure violations that led to the disaster. Global shipping has tripled since the 1970s and thousands of cargo ships like the Oliva traverse waters in close proximity to critically important habitat for many species. Cargo ships — bulk carriers, container ships and tankers — have a poor safety record and disasters like the Oliva as well as the Rena (New Zealand 2011), Treasure (South Africa 2000) and Selendang Ayu (Alaska, USA 2004), among many others have demonstrated that ordinary bulk carriers can cause serious environmental harm, especially in remote areas where response time and capacity are seriously limited.
The Oliva incident has shed light on the unique challenges faced by resource managers in remote areas, especially as marine transportation continues to grow with increasing coverage of the globe. Climate change is now allowing marine transportation corridors to expand to areas adjacent to previously inaccessible, remote, wildlife-rich areas where there is limited capacity to respond during an oil spill emergency, making the lessons learned in Tristan da Cunha especially relevant.
Fundamental Aspects of the Science and Engineering of Oil Spill Dispersant Systems: An Overview of Recent Research Activities of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative-funded CMEDS Project
Authors: Coolbaugh Tom , John Vijay , Johnston Keith , Valsaraj Kalliat T. , McCormick Alon , Bose Arijit , Krishnamoorti Ramanan 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
Upon consideration of dispersant-related research, both before and after the Macondo Well oil release, it can be divided into two general categories: (1) the fundamentals of how dispersants work and the effects that may result from their use (e.g., physicochemical and transport characteristics of drops, bubbles, hydrates, surfactants), and (2) an applied focus that has emphasized the design of new dispersants or an enhancement of the performance of those products that are currently available.
While there is an extensive amount of data relating to dispersants, a main focus has been on the demonstration of their effectiveness in bench tests and examination of the toxicity of dispersants and dispersed oil. As a result, there is a need for an enhanced understanding of dispersant and dispersed oil thermodynamics and their fate and transport, with a goal to translate the science and engineering to the development of new, effective dispersant systems. The focus of the work to be discussed addresses the following areas:
Formation of small oil droplets: Widely dispersed stable oil droplets in the water column are easily accessible to microbes and therefore highly susceptible to degradation. It is important therefore, to understand the fundamental mechanisms of oil breakup and colloidal stabilization in order to develop new and effective dispersants.
Dispersant-related processes under deep sea conditions: Current dispersants have been developed for surface spills. The efficacy of such formulations when applied at the high pressures and low temperatures representative of deep ocean release has not been systematically studied. Because of concomitant gas release at the discharge point, and the pressures involved, the liquid droplet is essentially a gas-expanded liquid which could behave quite differently when treated with dispersant components depending upon how they partition at the phase interfaces, i.e., gas/water, gas/oil, oil/water.
Fluid mechanics of stabilized oil droplets: Droplet transport, as influenced by all thermodynamic variables of relevance under deep sea conditions, is being studied.
Droplet interactions with solid particulates: A better understanding of these processes, either in marine sediments or in the water column, will help predict the environmental fate of the droplets.
Development of alternative dispersants: Based on the knowledge gained with respect to the fundamentals, a key goal is the systematic translation of that understanding to the development of new and improved materials.
This paper summarizes recent work of a collaborative research effort involving investigators from 22 universities, with particular emphasis on increasing the understanding of the science and engineering of oil spill dispersants.
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF DTox: A QUANTITATIVE DATABASE OF THE TOXICITY OF DISPERSANTS AND CHEMICALLY DISPERSED OIL
Authors: Bejarano Adriana C. , Chu Valerie , Dahlin Jeff , Farr Jim 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill revived discussions on the use of dispersants as an oil spill countermeasure. One of the greatest concerns regarding the use of dispersants deals with potential exposure of water column organisms to high concentrations of oil. While toxicity data on dispersants and physically and chemically dispersed oil have been generated for decades under controlled laboratory conditions, the practical use of this information has been limited by the lack of a centralized data repository. As a result, the Dispersant and Chemically Dispersed Oil Toxicity Database (DTox) was created to address that shared need of unrestricted and rapid access to toxicity data. DTox is a quantitative database that gathers existing toxicity data through a careful review and compilation of data extracted from the peer-review and gray literature. Through a rigorously evaluation of the quality of each data source, this database contains pertinent information including species scientific name, life stage tested, dispersant name, exposure type, oil weathering stage, exposure duration, etc. More importantly, this database contains effects concentrations reported on measured or nominal basis. Within the database, each data source is assigned an applicability score based on their relevance to oil spills. Key criteria in the determination of source applicability include exposure type, reported effects concentrations, and reported analytical chemistry. Information in DTox has been further integrated into a user-friendly tool that allows for on-the-fly data searches and data plotting in the form of Species Sensitivity Distributions. To date, +400 papers have been evaluated for potential inclusion into the database, and data extracted from +170 sources. Despite inherent limitations, existing toxicity data are of great value to the oil spill scientific community. Although toxicity data will never be enough to answer all toxicity questions regarding the use of dispersants, this centralized data repository can help inform decisions on dispersant use and can help identify data needs and gaps. The ultimate goal of this tool is its contribution to a better understanding of the biological effects of dispersants and oil in the aquatic environment.
Does Wave Height Matter for Effective Surface Dispersant Application?
Authors: Huber Charles , Steen Alexis , Parscal Brian 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe Deepwater Horizon (DWH) crude oil release provided an occasion to test the delivery and effectiveness of dispersants on surface oil slicks to reduce the potential exposure of shoreline habitats and marine wildlife to spilled oil. In the beginning of the DWH response, there was concern that the calm sea conditions did not provide sufficient wave energy for dispersant action to occur. At one point a minimum 3-foot wave height requirement for dispersant application was set in an attempt to ensure sufficient mixing energy for dispersant activation was present at the time of application. Because of the ability of aerial dispersant application to rapidly treat large spatial areas and quantities of oil, there was a contrasting concern that a 3-foot (0.91 m) minimum wave height requirement was overly restricting dispersant operations; thereby, increasing environmental exposures.To evaluate the wave heights that effectively dispersed the Macondo crude oil, the SMART (Special Monitoring of Applied Response Technologies) Tier II/III monitoring data of dispersant applications performed in low wave conditions, i.e., &lt; 3 ft (0.91m) were analyzed. Of the 27 SMART Tier II/III monitoring operations conducted in significant wave heights (SWHs) of &lt; 3 feet (0.91 m), 21 were reported as “effective,” 4 were reported as “inconclusive,” and only 2 were reported as “no observed dispersion.” These results demonstrate dispersants were effective in low wave conditions and on weathered Macondo crude oil as a function of distance from the spill site.The paper then estimates the impact that setting wave height restrictions has on dispersant operations showing that a &gt; 3 feet requirement could reduce surface dispersant operational days by as much as 67%. With the dispersant assets available during the DWH response, this could have resulted in leaving up to 700,000 gallons of oil per day on the water,a thus exposing shoreline habitat and offshore wildlife to an increased risk of oiling.The paper concludes thatWave height should not be used as a criterion for approving or conducting surface dispersant application operations, becausewave heights as low as 0.5–1.0 feet were effective in immediately dispersing fresh and weathered Macondo crude oil, and may be sufficient to disperse other oils, andResearch on dispersant application in calm sea conditions has shown that oils would rapidly and almost totally disperse when exposed to breaking waves after being left on a calm water surface for prolonged periods.The paper recommends that government and response organizations should review and consider revising their guidance and operational procedures for dispersant application approval in light of the analysis presented in this paper.
The Remediation of Underwater Legacy Environmental Threats (RULET) Risk Assessment for Potentially Polluting Shipwrecks in U.S. Waters
Authors: Symons Lisa , Michel Jacqueline , Delgado James , Reich Danielle , McCay Debbie French , Etkin Dagmar Schmidt , Helton Doug 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
Although there are approximately 20,000 shipwrecks in U.S. waters, we now know that most of them are unlikely to be substantial pollution threats. Using initial screening factors (age, location, construction material, propulsion type, type, and size), 573 wrecks were identified as potentially containing larger amounts of oil. Secondary screening factors that relied on archival research and original documents for details, such as structural integrity and potential cargo and bunker capacities, reduced the list to 87 wrecks known or suspected to pose a substantial pollution threat. The majority of these are associated with World War II casualties in the Battle of the Atlantic. As of 2013, the average age of each wreck is 83 years old, as many were built or retrofitted for service during WWII. A consequence analysis consisting of oil spill trajectory and fate modeling and an assessment of ecological and socio-economic resources at risk was conducted for the 87 wrecks. Based on vessel pollution potential factors and ecological/socio-economic impact scores, a final relative risk score was assigned to each. Further assessments to determine the vessel condition, amount of oil onboard, and feasibility of oil removal action were recommended for seventeen vessels with known locations. Other recommendations included surveys of opportunity to identify the actual or best-guess location of each wreck in applicable oil spill contingency plans (so that if a mystery spill occurs, the wreck(s) can be investigated as a possible source), monitoring the condition of known wrecks, surveys to locate wrecks with unknown locations, and outreach to local communities. Recent surveys leveraged assets engaged in other activities, yielding additional information on a number of the high and medium priority targets. Although, this process has validated the existence of vessels of concern in U.S. waters that need to be reflected in area spill contingency plans, NOAA can now state that the coastline of the U.S. is not littered with “ticking time bombs” as previously believed. This assessment puts reliable bounds on the potential oil pollution threats from wrecks and helps delineate a path for determining risk for wrecks with as yet unconfirmed locations. The USCG can plan accordingly for monitoring, in-water assessments, and pollution recoveries as appropriate, rather than waiting for the potential harm these wrecks could cause to coastal areas. These findings are reassuring in light of earlier global analyses with much higher estimates such as that of the IOSC 2005 white paper (Michel et al., 2005).
Potential Impacts from a Worst Case Discharge from an United States Offshore Wind Farm
Authors: Gunter CDR Tim 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this research is to explore potential environmental impacts of a worst case discharge (WCD) from an offshore commercial wind farm electric service platform (ESP) in the Northeast United States. Wind farms in the continental United States are a growing industry as an energy alternative to traditional oil, coal, and natural gas energy sources. While many offshore wind farms already exist in Europe and around the world, the Cape Wind Project in New England received the first federally approved lease for an offshore wind energy production facility in the United States. While offshore wind energy is a green source of energy, wind driven energy has its own set of environmental risks, including the risks of an oil spill. A systematic review of scholarly journals, federal government websites and other academic resources was conducted to identify previous spills in the Northeast with the closest match in volume and location to the Cape Wind Project. The oil spills from the barge North Cape in 1996 near Point Judith, Rhode Island and from the barge Florida in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, in 1996, had the most similarities to a potential WCD spill from the Cape Wind Project. Both of these spills adversely impacted the environment, and provide useful information that can be used for the planning efforts surrounding a WCD event from the Cape Wind Project.
Effect of Well Capping as a Blowout Risk Reduction Measure
Authors: Vandenbussche Valentin , Brude Odd Willy , Tvedt Harald 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (Macondo) oil spill incident it became clear that further focus is required in order to understand and control blowout risks. The control measures are also essential in reducing potential environmental consequences given a blowout event.
The latest development in well capping techniques indicates that this might be a viable technical solution for controlling subsea oil and gas well blowouts. The limited field experience with this technology makes it however difficult to presume the effectiveness of the technology as an environmental risk reducing measure. It is assumed that successful implementation of a capping device, given a subsea blowout, would reduce the blowout duration, and thereby limit the total amount of hydrocarbons released into the environment.
By combining OPERAto, a dynamic tool for assessing environmental risks from offshore oil and gas activities, and an in-house blowout duration model, the authors have evaluated the use of capping as an environmental risk reduction measure. Uncertainties related to capping used as a solution for subsea blowouts are also discussed.
BUILDING A LEGACY OF RESEARCH COORDINATION: A HISTORY OF THE ICCOPR FROM EXXON VALDEZ TO PRESENT DAY
Authors: Vocke William T. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
The response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill revealed a need for the federal government to take a new approach to oil pollution research. At the time of Exxon Valdez, at least seven departments and agencies were conducting research on different aspects of oil pollution preparedness, prevention, and response. However, these agencies lacked a consistent forum for coordinating their research. Section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) changed that with the creation of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (ICCOPR). ICCOPR has continued functioning since 1991 but a lack of funding after the turn of the century reduced its effectiveness at coordinating research. After being reinvigorated in 2009, the ICCOPR has once again taken a leadership role in coordinating our Nation's oil pollution research investments.
This paper discusses the history of oil pollution research leading up to the Exxon Valdez spill and how the ICCOPR member agencies came together to meet the mandates of OPA 90 and identify research needs in the wake of the Exxon Valdez and other spills. ICCOPR's approach to coordination among the ICCOPR members and collaborating with states, industry, and academia are described. ICCOPR's current status and initiatives are discussed.
The Fate of Dispersed Oil Under Ice: Results of JIP Phase 1 Program
Authors: Beegle-Krause CJ , McPhee Miles , Simmons Harper , Daae Ragnhild Lundmark , Reed Mark 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
Ice infested waters pose unique challenges to preparedness and response for potential oil spills. An international team of researchers are working together to create a model to aid in evaluating use of dispersants in ice. The model will be designed to evaluate whether or not dispersed oil droplets formed under continuous or concentrated ice could resurface under the ice to form a significant accumulation within two days. The goal is to develop a tool to support contingency planning decisions with respect to dispersant use.
Phase I of the project was to perform a literature review to develop recommendations to fill data gaps in the ice, current, and turbulence data needed to run a model. Phase II will include field work to collect data and model development and testing. The model will require information about the oil and dispersed oil droplet size distribution and water column information to predict mixing energy that could keep the oil droplets suspended. Droplet size distributions can be easily measured. The challenge is to provide representative information about the water column. We are evaluating several types of oceanographic observational technologies to collect data on under ice mixing energy such as fluorescent dyes, Turbulent Instrument Clusters (TICs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (UAVs), and Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs). From our review, we expect to be able to collect the required environmental parameters within reasonable cost and time.
There are a variety of ice formation mechanisms and ice types in the Arctic and Antarctic. Bottom roughness and ice concentration play keys rolls controlling the amount of mixing energy available under the ice. Heavier ice concentrations absorb surface wave energy, which provides the mixing energy for open water dispersant operations. The literature review indicates that good measurements and a good turbulence closure model are key to obtaining good predictions.
We are interested in feedback from the IOSC audience regarding our vision of framing the predictive model as an appropriate decision support tool for the Planning and Response Communities.
Towards a Tier 3 Infrastructure for Oiled Wildlife Response
Authors: Kelway Paul , Holland Rob , Sessions Saskia , Nijkamp Hugo 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
With increased international shipping, offshore oil exploration, and interest in remote regions and challenging environments, there is growing recognition within government and industry of the need to improve global oiled wildlife preparedness as part of oil spill prevention and response planning. In early 2012, an international gathering of industry, government and non-governmental stakeholders gave their support to further integrate oiled wildlife planning and to develop a Tier 3 wildlife response capacity; currently the biggest gap in wildlife preparedness. The Tier 3 system will utilise the expertise and track record of the world's leading oiled wildlife response organisations. Since 2012, discussions have continued and a process for developing and implementing a global oiled wildlife response system has been established and will be initiated in late 2014. This paper will explain the steps towards developing a multi-stakeholder global infrastructure for wildlife preparedness and share updates on the timeline and progress of the project to date.
Interfacial Passivation of Kesterite Solar Cells for Enhanced Carrier Lifetime: Ab Initio Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Xiang Huiwen , Zheng Zhenfa , Zhao Ke , Liu Chengyan , Zhao Jin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractNonradiative recombination at the front contact interface of kesterite solar cells hinders the extraction of photo‐generated carriers, significantly restricting the efficiency enhancement. However, identifying the recombination centers and proposing effective passivation strategies remain open questions. First‐principles calculations combining with nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulations unveil that the interfacial translational symmetry breaking in elemental valence states leads to a detrimental donor‐like Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS interface with deep states originating from the interfacial Sn‐5s orbital, which serve as significant nonradiative recombination centers. Here, two mechanisms are proposed for eliminating the deep interface states: 1) directly replacing Sn‐5s with higher outer orbital levels by substituting group IIIA elements (In and Ga) for the interfacial Sn atom; 2) introducing an extra defect‐level coupling with Sn‐5s by substituting group VA elements (N, P, and As) for the S atoms bonded with the interfacial Sn atom. The representative InSn and PS acceptor defects, which are energetically favorable at the detrimental donor‐like interface, effectively passivate the deep interface states, markedly improving the carrier lifetimes by weakening nonadiabatic coupling between the band edge and the interfacial states. This study reveals the origin of the interfacial nonradiative recombination of kesterite solar cells and offers insights into interfacial passivation in semiconductor devices.