Fate and effects of oil in the sea

Book · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5922930

The most recent estimate of the input of petroleum hydrocarbons into the sea is about 3.2 million metric tons per annum. Most surface and near-surface waters in the open oceans contain petroleum hydrocarbons ranging from 1 to 10 parts per billion. Coastal waters near harbors and industrialized areas contain higher levels, up to 100 ppb. Evaporation is the most important initial process in removing petroleum hydrocarbons from the ocean's surface. Estimates from major oil spills indicate that evaporation may be responsible for the loss of up to 50% of an oil slick. Another important process in the dissipation of petroleum hydrocarbons in dispersion. Biodegradation is an important decomposition process for removing either petroleum or biologically produced hydrocarbons from the ocean. There has been no evident irrevocable damage to marine resources on a broad oceanic scale, by either chronic inputs of oil or occasional major oil spills. Most marine organisms can coexist with hydrocarbons when concentrations are very low (less than 100 ppb) and when oil is weathered. Petroleum can have a seriously adverse effect on local environments, particularly coastal areas. 7 figures.

• OSTI ID: 5922930
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COASTAL WATERS
DAMAGE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVAPORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MASS TRANSFER
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLLUTION SOURCES
SURFACE WATERS