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Title: The comparative fate of chemically dispersed and untreated oils in an Arctic nearshore environment

Abstract

The distribution and environmental fate of petroleum hydrocarbons introduced into the nearshore environment of Cape Hatt, Baffin Island, Canada, during two controlled experimental discharges of a Venezuelan (Lagomedio) crude oil have been studied. An analytical program based on a combination of ultraviolet/fluorescence studies, high resolution gas chromatography, and computer-assisted gas chromatographic mass spectrometry has been used to examine several hundred oil, seawater, sediment, sediment trap, surface floc, and benthic animal (seven species) samples to determine the distribution, transport, and weathering of oil spilled in two scenarios: as untreated oil on the surface and as chemically dispersed oil discharged below the surface. Conclusions are drawn about the weathering of oil in the two scenarios, transport of low and high molecular weight hydrocarbons into the water column and their persistence, the sedimentation of oil, the incorporation of oil into the sediment via sedimentation onto the surface floc and direct penetration of the sediment/ water interface, and the uptake and depuration of untreated and chemically dispersed oils by seven species of filter feeders and deposit feeders in the subtidal benthos.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Battelle New England Marine Research Laboratory, L. Duxbury, MA
OSTI Identifier:
5293104
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: STP-840
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; OIL SPILLS; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; WATER POLLUTION CONTROL; WEATHERING; SEAWATER; SEDIMENTS; ARCTIC REGIONS; BENTHOS; CANADA; DISTRIBUTION; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; PETROLEUM; SURFACTANTS; AQUATIC ORGANISMS; CONTROL; ENERGY SOURCES; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; MASS TRANSFER; NORTH AMERICA; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POLAR REGIONS; POLLUTION CONTROL; WATER; 020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Boehm, P D. The comparative fate of chemically dispersed and untreated oils in an Arctic nearshore environment. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Boehm, P D. The comparative fate of chemically dispersed and untreated oils in an Arctic nearshore environment. United States.
Boehm, P D. 1982. "The comparative fate of chemically dispersed and untreated oils in an Arctic nearshore environment". United States.
@article{osti_5293104,
title = {The comparative fate of chemically dispersed and untreated oils in an Arctic nearshore environment},
author = {Boehm, P D},
abstractNote = {The distribution and environmental fate of petroleum hydrocarbons introduced into the nearshore environment of Cape Hatt, Baffin Island, Canada, during two controlled experimental discharges of a Venezuelan (Lagomedio) crude oil have been studied. An analytical program based on a combination of ultraviolet/fluorescence studies, high resolution gas chromatography, and computer-assisted gas chromatographic mass spectrometry has been used to examine several hundred oil, seawater, sediment, sediment trap, surface floc, and benthic animal (seven species) samples to determine the distribution, transport, and weathering of oil spilled in two scenarios: as untreated oil on the surface and as chemically dispersed oil discharged below the surface. Conclusions are drawn about the weathering of oil in the two scenarios, transport of low and high molecular weight hydrocarbons into the water column and their persistence, the sedimentation of oil, the incorporation of oil into the sediment via sedimentation onto the surface floc and direct penetration of the sediment/ water interface, and the uptake and depuration of untreated and chemically dispersed oils by seven species of filter feeders and deposit feeders in the subtidal benthos.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5293104}, journal = {Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = STP-840,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982},
month = {Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982}
}