2. IntroductionIntroduction
Increasing economic development has caused an increase inIncreasing economic development has caused an increase in
marine transportation of crude oils and offshore production.marine transportation of crude oils and offshore production.
First major oil spills:First major oil spills:
– 1967, “Torrey Canyon” tanker grounded, releasing1967, “Torrey Canyon” tanker grounded, releasing
117,000 tons of oil117,000 tons of oil
– 1969, blow-out of offshore platform “Santa Barbara”1969, blow-out of offshore platform “Santa Barbara”
released 13,600 tons of oilreleased 13,600 tons of oil
Need for international legislation and control ofNeed for international legislation and control of
transportation and offshore productiontransportation and offshore production
Increase in research of marine environments, oil and itsIncrease in research of marine environments, oil and its
affects, methods of clean-up, and prevention.affects, methods of clean-up, and prevention.
3. Types of OilTypes of Oil
Crude oils: mixtures of hydrocarbons ofCrude oils: mixtures of hydrocarbons of
varying molecular weights and structuresvarying molecular weights and structures
Refined oils: products of distillation ofRefined oils: products of distillation of
crude oilcrude oil
– includes kerosene, diesel oil, jet fuel,includes kerosene, diesel oil, jet fuel,
and lubricating oilsand lubricating oils
4. Characteristics of OilsCharacteristics of Oils
Affect the behaviour of oil on water and thusAffect the behaviour of oil on water and thus
efficiency of clean upefficiency of clean up
Will vary depending on environmental conditionsWill vary depending on environmental conditions
Specific gravitySpecific gravity
Surface TensionSurface Tension
ViscosityViscosity
Flash PointFlash Point
SolubilitySolubility
5. Behaviour of OilBehaviour of Oil
Spreading and drifting of oil caused by wavesSpreading and drifting of oil caused by waves
EvaporationEvaporation
DissolutionDissolution
Dispersion of oil dropletsDispersion of oil droplets
Photochemical oxidationPhotochemical oxidation
Microbial degradationMicrobial degradation
Absorption onto suspended particulate matterAbsorption onto suspended particulate matter
Ingestion by organismsIngestion by organisms
Sinking and sedimentationSinking and sedimentation
6. Input of Oil into MarineInput of Oil into Marine
EnvironmentEnvironment
(estimated million tons per year)(estimated million tons per year)
Natural
0.7
Offshore Production 0.05
Transportation 1.47
Atmospheric Deposition 0.3
Wastewaters, Run-off, and
Ocean Dumping
1.18
7. Significant Spill CausesSignificant Spill Causes
GroundingsGroundings
CollisionsCollisions
ContactsContacts
Oil TransferOil Transfer
Fire ExplosionFire Explosion
WeatherWeather Engine TroublesEngine Troubles
8. Levels of Biological EffectsLevels of Biological Effects
Human hazards through eating contaminatedHuman hazards through eating contaminated
seafoodseafood
decrease of fisheries resources and damage todecrease of fisheries resources and damage to
wildlifewildlife
decrease of aesthetic values due to unsightlydecrease of aesthetic values due to unsightly
slicks and oiled beachesslicks and oiled beaches
modification of marine ecosystems by eliminationmodification of marine ecosystems by elimination
of certain species with an initial decrease inof certain species with an initial decrease in
diversity and productivitydiversity and productivity
modification of habitats, delaying or preventingmodification of habitats, delaying or preventing
recolonisationrecolonisation
9. Affects on MarineAffects on Marine
EnvironmentsEnvironments
Fish and CrustaceansFish and Crustaceans
– may have oily odor or flavor, becoming unfit for humanmay have oily odor or flavor, becoming unfit for human
consumptionconsumption
– hydrocarbons accumulate in muscle tissuehydrocarbons accumulate in muscle tissue
– formation of tumorsformation of tumors
– resistant and opportunistic species increaseresistant and opportunistic species increase
MammalsMammals
– oil adheres to fur, affecting swimming ability and blocksoil adheres to fur, affecting swimming ability and blocks
body orifices, loss of body temp.body orifices, loss of body temp.
– irritates skin and sensitive membranesirritates skin and sensitive membranes
– ingestion and inhalation of oilingestion and inhalation of oil
10. Sea BirdsSea Birds
– water proofing and insulation of plumage is destroyedwater proofing and insulation of plumage is destroyed
– inability to fly and/or float in waterinability to fly and/or float in water
– difficulty obtaining food and escaping predatorsdifficulty obtaining food and escaping predators
– irritation of eyesirritation of eyes
– susceptible to bacterial and fungal infectionssusceptible to bacterial and fungal infections
Coral ReefsCoral Reefs
– death of fish and invertebrates including lobsters, crabs,death of fish and invertebrates including lobsters, crabs,
gastropods, bivalves, octopus, sea urchins, sea stars, andgastropods, bivalves, octopus, sea urchins, sea stars, and
sea cucumbers.sea cucumbers.
– Becomes barren of sessile invertebrates and algaeBecomes barren of sessile invertebrates and algae
ShoreShore
– beaches are covered in an oil slimebeaches are covered in an oil slime
– oil is buried in the sedimentation of the beachoil is buried in the sedimentation of the beach
– amount of oil on the shore depends on the wave actionsamount of oil on the shore depends on the wave actions
11. Chemical ResponseChemical Response
Natural CleansingNatural Cleansing
– BiodegradationBiodegradation
– Enhanced BiodegradationEnhanced Biodegradation
Chemical BarriersChemical Barriers
Sinking AgentsSinking Agents
SorbentsSorbents
Chemical DispersantsChemical Dispersants
BurningBurning
12. Mechanical ResponseMechanical Response
Mechanical containment only work when oil is floatingMechanical containment only work when oil is floating
on the water surfaceon the water surface
• BoomsBooms
• Pneumatic BarriersPneumatic Barriers
• TrawlingTrawling
• High Pressure Water JetsHigh Pressure Water Jets
• Hydraulic DispersionHydraulic Dispersion
13. Clean-UpClean-Up
In WaterIn Water
– Weir SkimmerWeir Skimmer
– Sorbent SurfaceSorbent Surface
SkimmersSkimmers
– Suction DevicesSuction Devices
– Centrifugal DevicesCentrifugal Devices
– Submersion DevicesSubmersion Devices
On ShoreOn Shore
– Sand RemovalSand Removal
– Manual Clean-upManual Clean-up
– Sea Water FlushingSea Water Flushing
– Sieving SandSieving Sand
