bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
APPLICATION FOR EPA PERMITS TO DISCHARGE OIL FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES: REVISED INTERIM GUIDELINES1
Authors: Nichols William 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) has prepared revised guidelines on discharging oil into U.S. waters to assist research efforts on the prevention, preparedness and response to oil pollution that cannot be conducted in a laboratory, test tank, or other facility. The revised guidelines update the 1971 guidelines developed for the same purpose. Under these guidelines, the applicant for an oil discharge permit should; 1) provide data on the methods used to assess the environmental effects of the proposed test; 2) provide information and demonstrate (if possible) that the proposed test site has been selected to minimize adverse environmental impacts; 3) assess the potential impacts of the proposed test on the aesthetic, recreational, and economic uses of the proposed test site; 4) address potential impacts to public health; 5) describe how expected environmental effects will be controlled; 6) provide an opportunity for public participation in the permitting process; 7) provide a detailed description of the proposed test site; and 8) include a description of the geology, hydrology, water quality, ecology, climatic and any other environmental factors that could effect the petroleum discharge and the site.
EPA recognizes that bench- and meso-scale testing has prompted interest in field testing (using intentional discharges of oil) on a larger scale than was contemplated when the original guidelines were issued in 1971. The Agency has, therefore, removed the 1,000-gallon upper limit on the size of the permitted oil discharge in the original guidelines. The Agency is aware, however, that the discharge of greater volumes of oil will require correspondingly greater efforts to protect the public health and environment. EPA will therefore closely examine the justifications for large-volume discharge applications (greater than 1,000 gallons) to determine whether the proposed discharge size is justified.
INTEGRATING PRIMARY AND COMPENSATORY RESTORATION FOR AN OIL SPILL THROUGH USE OF HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
Authors: Pfeifer Christopher E. , Hess Cheryl A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Natural resources along the shoreline of a tidal estuary were injured by oiling and physical disturbance following the accidental release of No. 6 fuel oil from a power plant in New Jersey, USA. Operation of heavy equipment on the shoreline during the emergency response entrained oil into sediments and physically damaged shoreline vegetation dominated by the low-value specie Phragmites australis.
In response to this incident, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the responsible party (RP) conducted a cooperative natural resource damage assessment (NRDA). During NRDA discussions, the NJDEP proposed that compensatory restoration for injured natural resources be provided at a ratio of 3:1 (restored-to-injured) based on the acreage of physically impacted vegetation. Since in-kind restoration of Phragmites was undesirable, native salt marsh vegetation was planted instead, resulting in enhancement of the injured habitat. Since the primary restoration actions yielded improvements beyond the baseline condition, the RP successfully negotiated a 1:1 replacement ratio for components involving habitat enhancement. By incorporating habitat enhancement into the design of primary restoration, the amount of the compensatory restoration was reduced. By expanding the primary restoration to include enhancement of adjoining degraded habitat that was not impacted by the incident, the RP was able to satisfy both primary and compensatory restoration obligations simultaneously by integrating these components into a single restoration project. The combined primary and compensatory restoration project was then implemented as emergency restoration 4–5 months after the incident.
This integrated restoration approach enabled the RP to: (1) decrease compensatory restoration requirements by incorporating habitat enhancement into primary restoration; (2) reduce restoration costs by avoiding separate primary and compensatory restoration projects; and (3) expedite restoration by performing actions under the scope of emergency restoration. This strategy benefited the trustees by simplifying the assessment and reducing oversight burdens. The public and the environment benefited by receiving restoration on an accelerated timeframe.
DETECTION OF HYDROCARBON DEGRADING THERMOPHILIC BACTERIA USING MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES AND POSSIBLE USES IN ACCELERATED HYDROCARBON BIOREMEDIATION
Authors: Banat Ibrahim M. , Marchant Roger , Sharkey Freddie H. , Rahman Thahira J. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
During the past two years we have established that thermophilic bacteria belonging to the genus Geobacillus exist in large numbers in otherwise cool soil environments. These thermophiles have a growth range of 40–80°C and can be found in soils in high numbers (104 colony forming units (CFU)/g). These thermophilic geobacilli have a rapid growth rate with doubling times between 20–30 minutes at 65–70°C on nutrient broth and most have a wide rang ability to degrade hydrocarbons including aromatic molecules. This suggested that they could play a role in the attenuation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. To assess their activity in situ, molecular biology techniques were employed firstly though designing a taxon specific forward PCR primer (THERM) to detect the geobacilli and secondly through targeting the alkane monooxygenase (alkB) gene expression. A reverse transcriptase PCR experiment established that the alkane monooxygenase activity in pure cultures of Geobacillus are only inducible when they are grown at temperatures &gt;40°C in the presence of alkane. Similarly soil microcosms spiked with alkane only gave the alkB RT PCR product when incubated at temperatures above 40°C. Mixed sequences of the alkB gene fragment were detected in soil and appear to belong to numerous thermophilic rather than mesophilic bacteria. We believe these thermophilic geobacilli may have a significant role in hydrocarbon biodegradation at elevated temperatures and may be utilized for bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.
TAMING THE OIL SPILL PAPERWORK BEAST: THE ALASKA SPILL RESPONSE PERMITS PROJECT
Authors: DeCola Elise G. , Robertson Tim L. , Bryant Terry , Folley Gary 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Spill responders, state and federal agencies, and responsible parties have all acknowledged the fact that the permits, forms, and applications required to mount an effective oil spill response can often slow down the response progress or lead to unnecessary confusion. In Alaska, there are forms in use that are copies of copies of forms that have not been updated in years. In other cases, standard agency forms that are available as Word documents have been slightly modified by various users over time. Some forms appear unnecessary in the response effort and may well be carryovers from other venues. This problem has been exacerbated as many Alaska state agencies have reorganized and in some cases, permitting authorities have been transferred.
The Spill Response Permits Project was initiated by the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC) in response to a common concern, voiced by response organizations, responsible parties, and state and federal agencies, that the paperwork burden associated with an Alaska oil spill response is excessive. CIRCAC provided initial funding to form a work group of industry, agency, and response organization representatives that would be charged with taking a fresh look at Alaska's spill permitting requirements. The work group, co-chaired by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the US Coast Guard, and the Tesoro Alaska Company, began by identifying all oil spill response activities that might generate the need to fill out a permit or authorization form. Next, they inventoried and collected the most up-to-date versions of all permits. Work group participants, including oil spill response cooperatives as well as state and federal agencies with permitting authority, then reviewed all forms and deleted outdated or duplicated requirements.
Once the list of permits had been updated, the work group then developed a computer-based organizational tool that could be used to sort, fill out, submit, and file applicable permit forms during an oil spill response or exercise. The computer interface allows the user to enter incident-specific information into a central data set, so that the data may then be exported to the required permit forms with a simple mouse click. The computer tool can be run on any computer platform, with files available for download from the Internet or stored on a CD-Rom. The tool uses the Adobe Acrobat® software application and fills out and stores permit forms in Adobe portable document format (PDF). Additional information about this ongoing project is available at http://www.akgrs.net/Circac/home.htm.
SOFT SKILLS IN A HARD WORLD1
Authors: James R A 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The focus of oil spill response organisations (OSROs) in their development activities, and through forums such as IOSC, tends to be on new equipment, innovative tools and better techniques for spill response. In the excitement about ‘things the people who actually deliver the spill response are often forgotten.
Over the last decade oil companies have downsized and rightsized and are now hollowing out. As result, when an OSRO is called to support an oil company in a spill response there is a requirement for the OSRO to become more and more involved in the strategic management of the spill, with OSRO: client interfaces at a higher and higher level in the client organisation.
The need for OSRO personnel to be well trained not just in a range of spill response techniques but also in a wide variety of ‘soft skills’ such as presentation, negotiation and influencing has never been more compelling.
This paper reports developments at Oil Spill Response Ltd in the selection, training and development of spill responders to meet the increasing demands of our client companies. Core skills and different specialisms required of spill responders are defined and a modular, fast track, training programme is developed. The core skills and training programme are benchmarked across a range of major OSROs to set common, high, worldwide standards. The accreditation of this programme to offer a formal diploma qualification is further examined.
Continuing education is a key theme of the paper, with senior spill responders offered a development opportunity in the training of new recruits, whereby they can become accredited trainers; whilst spill managers can convert the diploma qualification into a degree-level award.
SPCC INSPECTION RESULTS IN IMPROVED CORROSION PROTECTION AT MAJOR REFINERY
Authors: Zickler Michael 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
EPA Region 3 conducted an SPCC/FRP inspection in late 1997 by at a major east coast refinery, situated along Curtis Bay in Baltimore MD. Curtis Bay drains into the Chesapeake Bay and a release from the site could severely impact a sensitive ecological area. During the inspection, the inspectors observed evidence of deterioration in the concrete foundations of several of the tanks. A Notice of Non-Compliance was sent to the company outlining deficiencies noted during the inspection and from the SPCC plan review. The company addressed the SPCC plan deficiencies but failed to address issues regarding the tank foundations, periodic integrity testing and protection of buried piping. An Administrative Complaint was issued under Section 311 of the CWA. The company denied the allegations and asked for an administrative hearing. An Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process was arranged. One result of the ADR was that the Facility agreed to further assess the cathodic protection system and soil corrosivity, and to evaluate the foundations of five of the ASTs. Simultaneously, EPA arranged for an expert to provide technical consulting support in the area of American Petroleum Institute (API) 653 inspections and compliance procedures. When the company submitted the results of their API inspection, they indicated that the ASTs were safe and calculated the remaining service life to exceed the 20 year inspection interval requirement. They proposed the next inspection interval to be the maximum of 20 years. EPA's consultant was able to demonstrate that the company had made incorrect assumptions about the as-built tank foundation design. This resulted in incorrect calculations regarding the degree of existing cathodic protection. As a result, EPA prevailed in recalculating a service life/internal inspection interval of 4.58 years and requiring some additional corrective measures to be taken at the facility. The result of EPA's action is that the ASTs located at the site will be operated with a higher degree of safety and environmental protection.
TANK VESSEL PETROLEUM TRANSPORTATION AS A PREDICTOR OF MARINE OIL SPILLS
Authors: Norton Daniel R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The annual volume of oil spilled into the marine environment by tank vessels (tank barges and tanks hips) is analyzed against the total annual volume of oil transported by tank vessels in order to determine any correlational relationship. U.S. Coast Guard data was used to provide the volume of oil (petroleum) spilled into the marine environment each year by tank vessels. Data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Transportation's (US DOT) National Transportation Statistics (NTS) were used for the annual volume of oil transported via tank vessels in the United States. This data is provided in the form of tonnage and ton-miles, respectively. Each data set has inherent benefits and weaknesses. For the analysis the volume of oil transported was used as the explanatory variable (x) and the volume of oil spilled into the marine environment as the response variable (y). Both data sets were tested for correlation. A weak relationship, r = −0.38 was found using tonnage, and no further analysis was performed. A moderately strong relationship, r = 0.79, was found using ton-miles. Further analysis using regression analysis and a plot of residuals showed the data to be satisfactory with no sign of lurking variables, but with the year 1990 being a possible outlier.
MEASURING ENERGY DISSIPATION RATES IN A WAVE TANK
Authors: Venosa Albert D. , Kaku Vikram J. , Boufadel Michel C. , Lee Kenneth 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of dispersants is typically evaluated at various scales ranging from the smallest (10 cm, typical of flask tests in the laboratory) to the largest (10's to 100's of meters, typical of field scale open water dispersion tests). This study aims at evaluating dispersant effectiveness at intermediate or pilot scale. The hypothesis is that the energy dissipation rate per unit mass, ɛ, plays a major role in the effectiveness of a dispersant. Therefore, it is stipulated that in fairly general conditions, conservation of ɛ between the wave tank scale and that of the field scale is sufficient to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of a dispersant to disperse oil droplets. A wave tank measuring 16 m long x 0.6 m wide x 2 m deep was constructed on the premises of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Waves were generated using a flap-type wave maker. Conditions of the breaking waves were created using a dispersive focusing technique in which the wave maker is started at high frequency and then the frequency decreased to create breaking waves. Experiments defining the velocity profile and energy dissipation rates in the wave tank were conducted at 2 different induced breaking-wave energies. Energy in the wave tank was measured with an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) coupled to a data acquisition system. Energy in the lab flasks was measured with a Hot Wire Anemometer.
PROTECTING PEOPLE, ASSETS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE GULF OF PARIA, VENEZUELA: SECURITY PLANNING FOR EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION IN A SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Rodriguez Fernando , Betancourt Julio , Perry William 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United States Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) have placed new security planning and preparedness requirements on oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) facilities. Qualifying E&P facilities within territorial waters of countries signatory to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), were to have completed Security Vulnerability Assessments (SVAs) as early as July 2004. In some countries, this deadline has been extended. There are currently no comprehensive SVA guidelines that companies can use to evaluate their onshore and/or offshore facilities. Furthermore, existing guidelines focus on security threats stemming from potential acts of terrorism and do not adequately address many equally important security concerns faced by E&P facilities worldwide.
ConocoPhillips Venezuela (COPVen) and its partners, Corporación Venezolana de Petróleo (CVP), Eni Venezuela B.V., OPIC Karimum Corporation, and Inelectra C.A., have significant hydrocarbon investments in Venezuela—and understand the importance of security planning during every phase of operations.
This paper describes how COPVen adapted existing methodology to complete an innovative SVA of current as well as planned facilities and activities in the Gulf of Paria, northeastern Venezuela. Consistent with the companies' sustainable development approach in the region, the SVA anticipates potential security threats, prioritizes issues, and proposes mitigation measures that enhance security. This paper also describes how COPVen incorporated social and environmental considerations and used an innovative methodology to complete the work. The process used by COPVen and its partners represents a basis to identify, plan, review and continuously improve system-wide and facility-specific security measures to protect people, assets and the environment in the Gulf of Paria.
USE OF NATURAL OIL SEEPS FOR EVALUATION OF DISPERSANT APPLICATION AND MONITORING TECHNIQUES
Authors: Payne James R. , Allen Alan A. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The natural oil seeps off Coal Oil Point (Santa Barbara), California, release an estimated 100–150 bbl of oil per day to the marine environment. This project proposed to conduct a series of dispersant trials using these seeps to intercalibrate NOAA's Scientific Monitoring of Advanced Response Technologies (SMART) UV/Fluorescence-based protocols with finite measurements of dissolved aromatics and dispersed oil droplets in the water column and to evaluate a unique oil-boomldispersant-application technology (NeatSweep).
Following an elaborate and lengthy permitting process including cooperation from multiple regulatory agencies and organizations, laboratory tests indicated that although fresh produced oil from nearby Platform Holly could be treated (&gt;70% effectiveness), dispersing the weathered 11° API gravity seep oil was totally ineffective (0%). Limited field tests then verified the laboratory findings that the seep oil could not even be dispersed with Corexit 9500, a commonly used dispersant for heavily weathered and viscous oils. Lacking reasonable alternatives (including the use of intentional spills), the project was halted before full-scale field implementation.
This paper documents the development of the research plan, the steps required to obtain the necessary permits, and the results from the limited laboratory and field tests that were completed. The planning and permitting efforts for this project are provided so that others with similar needs or goals might benefit. A brief discussion is provided on the limitations of using natural seep oils for spill response research and on the difficulties with spill-of-opportunity research during actual spill events. The importance of controlled experimental discharges of oil is discussed along with the pros and cons of such deliberate spills.
EVALUATION OF DISPERSANTS FOR USE IN THE AZERBAIJAN REGION OF THE CASPIAN SEA
Authors: Abbasova Afag , Bagirova Khabiba , Campbell Gary , Clark James , Gallagher Ronnie , Garajayeva Nargis , George-Ares Anita , Huseynova Latifa , Neilson David , Roddie Brian , Tait Russell 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Open marine water (salinity 30–35°/00) is the environment where dispersants are used most frequently in oil spill response. In the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea, offshore oil and gas reserves are being developed in areas where salinity ranges from 10 to 12 °loo. Because salinity can affect dispersant efficacy and toxicity, the effectiveness and aquatic toxicity of six commercially available dispersants were tested using Azerbaijan crude oil, Caspian species and 12°/oo seawater.
Effectiveness for the dispersants tested with Chirag crude oil and Caspian seawater ranged from 72% to 86%, using USEPA's baffled flask method. Dispersant toxicities were in the ranges: diatom (Chaetoceros tenuissimus) 72 hr EC50 (effective concentrations inhibiting growth rate by 50%) 18 to &gt; 100 mg/l; copepod (Calanipeda aquae dulcis) 48 hr LC50 (effective concentration for immobilizing 50% test organisms) 12 to 49 mg/l; amphipod (Pontogammarus maeoticus) 48 hr LC50 (concentration lethal to 50% test organisms) 50 to &gt; 100 mg/l.
For dispersant use, the key toxicity concern is that of dispersed oil, not dispersant. Aquatic toxicity was determined for water—accommodated fractions (WAFs) of Chirag crude in Caspian seawater. Toxicity results for the WAFs were: diatom 72 hr EC50 &gt; 10,000 mg/l nominal; copepod 48 hr LC50 3.9 mg/l; amphipod 48 hr LC50 &gt;15 mg/l. Chirag crude was mixed with dispersant at 20:1 oil: dispersant ratio and resulting WAFs were tested for toxicity. Results were: diatom 72 hr EC50 &lt; 18 to 208 mg/l nominal; copepod 48 hr LC50 2.1 to 37 mg/l; amphipod 48 hr LC50 20 to 89 mg/l. Dispersant and dispersed oil toxicity for Caspian species are similar to published toxicity data for marine species tested at typical ocean salinity.
Prolonged exposure (24 to 96hrs.) to constant concentrations of dispersant or dispersed oil used in laboratory tests may overestimate potential field toxicity, where dilution and mixing can decrease concentrations to low ppm's within hours of application. Dispersant use decisions for any Caspian Sea oil spills will focus on net environmental benefits of moving oil into the water column where it can be quickly diluted compared to potentially greater impacts from oil reaching nearshore environments.