bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LONG-TERM MONITORING OF SUBMERGED OIL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO FOLLOWING THE T/B DBL 152 INCIDENT
Authors: Pfeifer Chris , Brzozowski Erik , Markarian Ralph , Redman Ramsey 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In November 2005, approximately 1.9 million gallons of Group V slurry oil was released in the western Gulf of Mexico following the allision of the double-hulled tank barge DBL 152 with the submerged remains of a pipeline service platform that collapsed during Hurricane Rita. The released oil was denser than seawater and sank to the bottom.
After approximately six weeks of intermittent cleanup using diver-direct pumping, submerged oil recovery operations were suspended by the Unified Command based on the high percentage (50%) of weather-related downtime, as well as indications that recoverable accumulations of oil were dispersing naturally, which further reduced the feasibility of cleanup. However, the responsible party was required to develop and implement a long-term monitoring program (LTMP) to track the fate and transport of the sunken oil and determine the potential need for resuming oil recovery operations once more favorable weather patterns returned in the spring.
This paper will present an overview of the approach, methods and results of the long-term monitoring efforts performed over a 14-month period following the incident. Major objectives of the LTMP included tracking the movement and fate of non-recovered submerged oil to assess its extent and continued dispersion; providing advance warning of potential impacts to Gulf Coast shorelines and other sensitive areas; and documenting changes in the oil'S chemical composition and physical properties through time due to weathering processes. Major findings of the LTMP include the dissipation of the main submerged oil field over the course of several months and the discovery, differential behavior and eventual dissipation of a discrete high-concentration oil patch found several miles from the incident location.
The importance of long-term monitoring data in the decision-making process to determine both the need for and feasibility of resuming submerged oil recovery operations will be emphasized. Information on the fate and transport characteristics of submerged oil and the adaptation of monitoring techniques to address evolving needs will also be addressed. Both the incident-specific information and the practical lessons-learned are intended to benefit those who may be faced with monitoring submerged oil spills in the future.
HOW A LOCAL NGO SUCCEEDED IN CLEANING UP THE LEBANON OIL SPILL, 2006
Authors: Elsarji Mohamed 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The oil spill in Lebanon in August 2006 resulted in 15000 tons of heavy fuel oil covering more than 160 kilometers of beaches and sea floor of Lebanon. Bahr Loubnan is a Lebanese NGO who volunteered to undertake the clean-up work as a gift to the Lebanese people. Bahr Loubnan experts made a full assessment of the situation; divers explored the sea floor and located all patches of fuel that sank, as another team toured and assessed every affected beach. As a result, a detailed plan was prepared and submitted to the Lebanese government who gave its approval on Sept. 7th 2006. The clean-up crew cleaned any sunken oil found on the bottom of the sea and on two thirds of the affected beaches. The cost of the whole operation, including the cost of all needed equipment, protective gear, storage tanks, transportation and food, was less than half a million dollars. Local people who were hired to work in the clean-up operations were treated as partners in the project and not as “Laborers”. Fifty professional divers were assigned the job of cleaning the oil found on the sea floor. Sandy and pebbles beaches were cleaned by surf washing, which proved very successful. Powerful “Cachiers” pumping water at a pressure of 1450 bars were used to clean the oil off rocky beaches. The operation was a success. It would be impossible for anyone to distinguish between beaches that were polluted and those who were not.
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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 &gt;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.