Risk assessment - Industrial accidents

Title

Reference

The ISME Journal (2012) 6, 451–460; doi:10.1038/ismej.2011.91;
published online 4 August 2011

Author(s)

Zhenmei Lu , Ye Deng, Joy D Van Nostrand, Zhili He, James Voordeckers, Aifen Zhou, Yong-Jin Lee, Olivia U Mason, Eric A Dubinsky, Krystle L Chavarria, Lauren M Tom, Julian L Fortney, Regina Lamendella, Janet K Jansson, Patrik D'haeseleer, Terry C Hazen and Jizhong Zhou

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the deepest and largest offshore spill in the United State history and its impacts on marine ecosystems are largely unknown. Here, we showed that the microbial community functional composition and structure were dramatically altered in a deep-sea oil plume resulting from the spill. A variety of metabolic genes involved in both aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation were highly enriched in the plume compared with outside the plume, indicating a great potential for intrinsic bioremediation or natural attenuation in the deep sea. Various other microbial functional genes that are relevant to carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and iron cycling, metal resistance and bacteriophage replication were also enriched in the plume. Together, these results suggest that the indigenous marine microbial communities could have a significant role in biodegradation of oil spills in deep-sea environments.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

oil spill; deep-sea plume; microbial community; metagenomics; functional gene arrays; GeoChip

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.nature.com/ismej/journal/v6/n2/full/ismej201191a.html
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jzhou@ou.edu

Title

Disturbance and Recovery of Salt Marsh Arthropod Communities following BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Reference

PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (3): e32735
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032735

Author(s)

Brittany D. McCall, Steven C. Pennings

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Oil spills represent a major environmental threat to coastal wetlands, which provide a variety of critical ecosystem services to humanity. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is a hub of oil and gas exploration activities that historically have impacted intertidal habitats such as salt marsh. Following the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we sampled the terrestrial arthropod community and marine invertebrates found in stands of Spartina alterniflora, the most abundant plant in coastal salt marshes. Sampling occurred in 2010 as oil was washing ashore and a year later in 2011. In 2010, intertidal crabs and terrestrial arthropods (insects and spiders) were suppressed by oil exposure even in seemingly unaffected stands of plants; however, Littoraria snails were unaffected. One year later, crab and arthropods had largely recovered. Our work is the first attempt that we know of assessing vulnerability of the salt marsh arthropod community to oil exposure, and it suggests that arthropods are both quite vulnerable to oil exposure and quite resilient, able to recover from exposure within a year if host plants remain healthy.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0032735

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spennings@uh.edu

Title

The impact of the Fukushima nuclear accident on European energy policy

Reference

Environmental Science & Policy
Volume 15, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 1–3

Author(s)

Bettina B.F. Wittneben

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The disaster that struck the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan has reignited the international debate on the future of nuclear energy. Interestingly, the incident has been used to both justify nuclear power generation and reconsider past decisions made on established or planned nuclear power sites. Geographically removed from the radioactive fallout, Europe's response to the massive nuclear accident differed greatly among the member states. The UK and Germany stand out as examples of the wide spread of policy response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. In the UK, policy makers remained firm on their decision to increase nuclear power generation in the near future, whereas in Germany, the federal government decided to at least temporarily shut down the old generation of nuclear reactors and re-examine the safety of all national nuclear power facilities. Furthermore, a regional voter backlash, fuelled by resentment of the Merkel government's previous commitment to nuclear power, dealt a serious blow to the ruling coalition parties.
How can national policy responses to the same event be so divergent in two European countries? This article attempts to answer this question in five arguments. I argue that in contrast to the UK, the German public faced imminent elections, stronger media reporting, increasing trust in renewable technologies, a history of nuclear resistance and a feeling of close cultural proximity to the Japanese.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Nuclear power generation; Energy policy; Germany; UK

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901111001444
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bettina.wittneben@smithschool.ox.ac.uk

Title

Oil spill hazard and risk assessment for the shorelines of a Mediterranean coastal archipelago

Reference

Ocean & Coastal Management Volume 57, March 2012, Pages 44–52

Author(s)

Antonio Olita, Andrea Cucco , Simone Simeone, Alberto Ribotti, Leopoldo Fazioli, Barbara Sorgente, Roberto Sorgente

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Oil spill is a serious threat for all marine and coastal environments. This is even more true for areas having high environmental, social and/or touristic value. A serious and scientifically rigorous identification of the hazard and risk related to oil slicks is becoming mandatory, in order to reduce or mitigate the impact of oil dispersal at sea and its stranding. A new model based method for evaluating hazard of oil slicks contact with shorelines of the Archipelago of La Maddalena (Strait of Bonifacio, Sardinia, Italy) has been developed and applied. The core of the methodology is a coastal 3D finite elements model, able to simulate hydrodynamics and waves of the strait of Bonifacio and, through a Lagrangian module, the physical/chemical fate of the oil at sea. In order to estimate the hazard due to oil slicks for the Archipelago and Northern Sardinia shorelines, a two-years interannual experiment has been conducted. An hazard index, given by the ratio between the oil concentration reaching each predefined coastal cell and the maximum stranded concentration, has been computed and mapped by using geostatistic tools in GIS environment. Temporal and spatial variability as well as the climatological distribution of the hazard index were therefore described: this can be an useful information for local authorities in order to efficiently manage oil slick emergencies. A significant temporal and spatial variability has been observed in the distribution of the hazard index, showing highest values for winter months, in agreement with stronger wind-induced currents. Large hazard values were found mainly along westerly exposed shorelines, as expected considering the prevalence of westerly winds blowing through the Strait. In order to assess the risk, such a hazard index can be easily combined with quali-quantitative factors of vulnerability of the coastal environment, assuming the risk is the product of hazard and vulnerability. Two of the most important factors of vulnerability have been combined with the hazard index: the shores geomorphology and the level of environmental protection (proxy for the environmental value). The southern side of Spargi Island shows the highest risk values, because of coincident presence of large hazard index values, beaches presenting last classes of geomorphological vulnerability and a moderate/high level of protection.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution                       
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies         
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569111001888
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antonio.olita@iamc.cnr.it

Title

Assessing the health risks of natural CO₂ seeps in Italy

Reference

PNAS October 4, 2011 vol. 108 no. 40 16545-16548

Author(s)

Jennifer J. Roberts, Rachel A. Wood, and R. Stuart Haszeldine

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Industrialized societies which continue to use fossil fuel energy sources are considering adoption of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to meet carbon emission reduction targets. Deep geological storage of CO₂ onshore faces opposition regarding potential health effects of CO₂ leakage from storage sites. There is no experience of commercial scale CCS with which to verify predicted risks of engineered storage failure. Studying risk from natural CO₂ seeps can guide assessment of potential health risks from leaking onshore CO₂ stores. Italy and Sicily are regions of intense natural CO₂ degassing from surface seeps. These seeps exhibit a variety of expressions, characteristics (e.g., temperature/flux), and location environments. Here we quantify historical fatalities from CO₂ poisoning using a database of 286 natural CO₂ seeps in Italy and Sicily. We find that risk of human death is strongly influenced by seep surface expression, local conditions (e.g., topography and wind speed), CO₂ flux, and human behavior. Risk of accidental human death from these CO₂ seeps is calculated to be 10-8 year-1 to the exposed population. This value is significantly lower than that of many socially accepted risks. Seepage from future storage sites is modeled to be less that Italian natural flux rates. With appropriate hazard management, health risks from unplanned seepage at onshore storage sites can be adequately minimized.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Geoengineering
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

carbon dioxide, storage leak, public acceptance, engineered sequestration, aquifer

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert / 
Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.pnas.org/content/108/40/16545.full 
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Jen.roberts@ed.ac.uk

Title

Quantification of undersea gas leaks from carbon capture and storage facilities, from pipelines and from methane seeps, by their acoustic emissions

Reference

Proc. R. Soc. A  doi: 10.1098/rspa.2011.0221

Author(s)

T. G. Leighton and P. R. White

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In recent years, because of the importance of leak detection from carbon capture and storage facilities and the need to monitor methane seeps and undersea gas pipelines, there has been an increased requirement for methods of detecting bubbles released from the seabed into the water column. If undetected and uncorrected, such leaks can generate huge financial and environmental losses. This paper describes a theory by which the passive acoustic signals detected by a hydrophone array can be used to quantify gas leakage, providing a practical (as opposed to research), passive and remote detection system which can monitor over a period of years using simple instrumentation. The sensitivity in detecting and quantifying the flux of gas is shown to exceed by more than two orders of magnitude the sensitivity of the current model-based techniques used commercially for gas leaks from large, long pipelines.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Geoengineering
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

carbon sequestration, methane seeps, gassy marine sediments, acoustic, leak monitoring

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/10/14/rspa.2011.0221
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tlg@soton.ac.uk

Title

Tracking of Airborne Radionuclides from the Damaged Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Reactors by European Networks

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technol., 2011, 45 (18), pp 7670–7677

Author(s)

O. Masson, O. Zhukova et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Radioactive emissions into the atmosphere from the damaged reactors of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (NPP) started on March 12th, 2011. Among the various radionuclides released, iodine-131 (131I) and cesium isotopes (137Cs and 134Cs) were transported across the Pacific toward the North American continent and reached Europe despite dispersion and washout along the route of the contaminated air masses. In Europe, the first signs of the releases were detected 7 days later while the first peak of activity level was observed between March 28th and March 30th. Time variations over a 20-day period and spatial variations across more than 150 sampling locations in Europe made it possible to characterize the contaminated air masses. After the Chernobyl accident, only a few measurements of the gaseous 131I fraction were conducted compared to the number of measurements for the particulate fraction. Several studies had already pointed out the importance of the gaseous 131I and the large underestimation of the total 131I airborne activity level, and subsequent calculations of inhalation dose, if neglected. The measurements made across Europe following the releases from the Fukushima NPP reactors have provided a significant amount of new data on the ratio of the gaseous 131I fraction to total 131I, both on a spatial scale and its temporal variation. It can be pointed out that during the Fukushima event, the 134Cs to 137Cs ratio proved to be different from that observed after the Chernobyl accident. The data set provided in this paper is the most comprehensive survey of the main relevant airborne radionuclides from the Fukushima reactors, measured across Europe. A rough estimate of the total 131I inventory that has passed over Europe during this period was <1% of the released amount. According to the measurements, airborne activity levels remain of no concern for public health in Europe

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Industrial emissions
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es2017158
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olivier.masson@irsn.fr

Title

Rapid microbial respiration of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in offshore surface waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Reference

Environmental Research Letters 6 (July-September 2011) 035301
doi:10.1088/1748-9326/6/3/035301

Author(s)

Bethanie R Edwards, Christopher M Reddy, Richard Camilli, Catherine A Carmichael, Krista Longnecker and Benjamin A S Van Mooy

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was one of the largest oil spills in history, and the fate of this oil within the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem remains to be fully understood. The goal of this study—conducted in mid-June of 2010, approximately two months after the oil spill began-was to understand the key role that microbes would play in the degradation of the oil in the offshore oligotrophic surface waters near the Deepwater Horizon site. As the utilization of organic carbon by bacteria in the surface waters of the Gulf had been previously shown to be phosphorus limited, we hypothesized that bacteria would be unable to rapidly utilize the oil released from the Macondo well. Although phosphate was scarce throughout the sampling region and microbes exhibited enzymatic signs of phosphate stress within the oil slick, microbial respiration within the slick was enhanced by approximately a factor of five. An incubation experiment to determine hydrocarbon degradation rates confirmed that a large fraction of this enhanced respiration was supported by hydrocarbon degradation. Extrapolating our observations to the entire area of the slick suggests that microbes had the potential to degrade a large fraction of the oil as it arrived at the surface from the well. These observations decidedly refuted our hypothesis. However, a concomitant increase in microbial abundance or biomass was not observed in the slick, suggesting that microbial growth was nutrient limited; incubations amended with nutrients showed rapid increases in cell number and biomass, which supported this conclusion. Our study shows that the dynamic microbial community of the Gulf of Mexico supported remarkable rates of oil respiration, despite a dearth of dissolved nutrients.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

microbial respiration, Deepwater Horizon, oil spill, hydrocarbon degradation, Gulf of Mexico, petroleum hydrocarbon

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/6/3/035301
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E-mail: bvanmooy@whoi.edu

Title

Seabird feathers as monitors of the levels and persistence of heavy metal pollution after the Prestige oil spill

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 2454-2460
Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity

Author(s)

Rocío Moreno, Lluís Jover, Carmen Diez, Carola Sanpera

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We measured heavy metal concentrations in yellow-legged gulls (n = 196) and European shags (n = 189) in order to assess the temporal pattern of contaminant exposure following the Prestige oil spill in November 2002. We analysed Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni and V levels in chick feathers sampled at four colonies during seven post-spill years (2003–2009), and compared results with pre-spill levels obtained from feathers of juvenile shag corpses (grown in spring/summer 2002). Following the Prestige wreck, Cu (4.3-10 µg g^-1) and Pb concentrations (1.0-1.4 µg g^-1) were, respectively, between two and five times higher than pre-spill levels (1.5-3.6 and 0.1-0.4 µg g^-1), but returned to previous background concentrations after three years. Our study highlights the suitability of chick feathers of seabirds for assessing the impact of oil spills on heavy metal contamination, and provides the best evidence to date on the persistence of oil pollution after the Prestige incident.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Long-term effects; Atlantic ocean; Phalacrocorax aristotelis; Larus michahellis; Oil spill

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269765211003617
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rocio@rociomoreno.com

Title

Radioactive impact of Fukushima accident on the Iberian Peninsula: Evolution and plume previous pathway

Reference

Environment International
Volume 37, Issue 7, October 2011, Pages 1259-1264

Author(s)

R.L. Lozano, M.A. Hernández-Ceballos, J.A. Adame, M. Casas-Ruízc , M. Sorribas, E.G. San Miguel, J.P. Bolívar

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

High activity concentrations of several man-made radionuclides (such as ¹³¹I, ¹³²I, ¹³²Te, ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) have been detected along the Iberian Peninsula from March 28th to April 7th 2011. The analysis of back-trajectories of air masses allowed us to demonstrate that the levels of manmade radionuclide activity concentrations in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula come from the accident produced in the nuclear power plant of Fukushima. The pathway followed by the radioactive plume from Fukushima into Huelva (southwest of the Iberian Peninsula) was deduced through back-trajectories analysis, and this fact was also verified by the activity concentrations measured of those radionuclides reported in places crossed by this radioactive cloud. In fact, activity concentrations reported by E.P.A., and by IAEA, in several places of Japan, Pacific Ocean and United States of America are according to the expected ones from the air mass trajectory arriving at Huelva province.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Industrial emissions
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Fukushima accident; Radionuclides; Back-trayectories; Iberian Peninsula

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412011001656
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bolivar@uhu.es

Title

Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydraulic fracturing

Reference

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011;
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1100682108

Author(s)

Stephen G. Osborn, Avner Vengosh, Nathaniel R. Warner, Robert B. Jackson.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Directional drilling and hydraulic-fracturing technologies are dramatically increasing natural-gas extraction. In aquifers overlying the Marcellus and Utica shale formations of northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, we document systematic evidence for methane contamination of drinking water associated with shale-gas extraction. In active gas-extraction areas (one or more gas wells within 1 km), average and maximum methane concentrations in drinking-water wells increased with proximity to the nearest gas well and were 19.2 and 64 mg CH₄L^-1 (n=26), a potential explosion hazard; in contrast, dissolved methane samples in neighboring nonextraction sites (no gas wells within 1 km) within similar geologic formations and hydrogeologic regimes averaged only 1.1 mg L-1 (P < 0.05; n = 34). Average δ¹³C-CH₄ values of dissolved methane in shallow groundwater were significantly less negative for active than for nonactive sites (-37 ± 7‰ and -54 ± 11‰ respectively; P < 0.0001). These δ¹³C-CH₄ data, coupled with the ratios of methane-to-higher-chain hydrocarbons, and δ²H-CH₄ values, are consistent with deeper thermogenic methane sources such as the Marcellus and Utica shales at the active sites and matched gas geochemistry from gas wells nearby. In contrast, lower-concentration samples from shallow groundwater at nonactive sites had isotopic signatures reflecting a more biogenic or mixed biogenic/thermogenic methane source. We found no evidence for contamination of drinking-water samples with deep saline brines or fracturing fluids. We conclude that greater stewardship, data, and-possibly-regulation are needed to ensure the sustainable future of shale-gas extraction and to improve public confidence in its use.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

groundwater, organic-rich shale, isotopes, formation waters, water chemistry

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/05/02/1100682108
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jackson@duke.edu

Title

Science Applications in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Special Feature: CompoQWsition and fate of gas and oil released to the water column during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Reference

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101242108

Author(s)

Christopher M. Reddy, J. Samuel Arey, Jeffrey S. Seewald, Sean P. Sylva, Karin L. Lemkau, Robert K. Nelson, Catherine A. Carmichael, Cameron P. McIntyre, Judith Fenwick, G. Todd Ventura, Benjamin A. S. Van Mooy, Richard Camilli.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Quantitative information regarding the endmember composition of the gas and oil that flowed from the Macondo well during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is essential for determining the oil flow rate, total oil volume released, and trajectories and fates of hydrocarbon components in the marine environment. Using isobaric gas-tight samplers, we collected discrete samples directly above the Macondo well on June 21, 2010, and analyzed the gas and oil. We found that the fluids flowing from the Macondo well had a gas-to-oil ratio of 1,600 standard cubic feet per petroleum barrel. Based on the measured endmember gas-to-oil ratio and the Federally estimated net liquid oil release of 4.1 million barrels, the total amount of C1-C5 hydrocarbons released to the water column was 1.7 x 1011 g. The endmember gas and oil compositions then enabled us to study the fractionation of petroleum hydrocarbons in discrete water samples collected in June 2010 within a southwest trending hydrocarbon-enriched plume of neutrally buoyant water at a water depth of 1,100 m. The most abundant petroleum hydrocarbons larger than C1-C5 were benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes at concentrations up to 78 µg L-1. Comparison of the endmember gas and oil composition with the composition of water column samples showed that the plume was preferentially enriched with water-soluble components, indicating that aqueous dissolution played a major role in plume formation, whereas the fates of relatively insoluble petroleum components were initially controlled by other processes

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/07/15/1101242108
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creddy@whoi.edu.

Title

Fate of Dispersants Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technol., 2011, 45 (4), pp 1298-1306
DOI: 10.1021/es103838p

Author(s)

Elizabeth B. Kujawinski, Melissa C. Kido Soule, David L. Valentine, Angela K. Boysen, Krista Longnecker, and Molly C. Redmond

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Response actions to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill included the injection of 771,000 gallons (2,900,000 L) of chemical dispersant into the flow of oil near the seafloor. Prior to this incident, no deepwater applications of dispersant had been conducted, and thus no data exist on the environmental fate of dispersants in deepwater. We used ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to identify and quantify one key ingredient of the dispersant, the anionic surfactant DOSS (dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate), in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater during active flow and again after flow had ceased. Here we show that DOSS was sequestered in deepwater hydrocarbon plumes at 1000-1200 m water depth and did not intermingle with surface dispersant applications. Further, its concentration distribution was consistent with conservative transport and dilution at depth and it persisted up to 300 km from the well, 64 days after deepwater dispersant applications ceased. We conclude that DOSS was selectively associated with the oil and gas phases in the deepwater plume, yet underwent negligible, or slow, rates of biodegradation in the affected waters. These results provide important constraints on accurate modeling of the deepwater plume and critical geochemical contexts for future toxicological studies.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/es103838p
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ekujawinski@whoi.edu

Title

Developing safety indicators for preventing offshore oil and gas deepwater drilling blowouts

Reference

Safety Science
Volume 49, Issues 8-9, October 2011, Pages 1187-1199

Author(s)

Jon Espen Skogdalen, Ingrid B. Utne and Jan Erik Vinnem

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

An important question with respect to the Macondo blowout is whether the accident is a symptom of systemic safety problems in the deepwater drilling industry. An answer to such a question is hard to obtain unless the risk level of the oil and gas (O&G) industry is monitored and evaluated over time. This article presents information and indicators from the Risk Level Project (RNNP) in the Norwegian O&G industry related to safety climate, barriers and undesired incidents, and discusses the relevance for deepwater drilling. The main focus of the major hazard indicators in RNNP is on production installations, whereas only a limited number of incident indicators and barrier indicators are related to mobile drilling units. The number of kicks is an important indicator for the whole drilling industry, because it is an incident with the potential to cause a blowout. Currently, the development and monitoring of safety indicators in the O&G industry seems to be limited to a short list of 'accepted' indicators, but there is a need for more extensive monitoring and understanding. This article suggests areas of extensions of the indicators in RNNP for drilling based on experience from the Macondo blowout. The areas are related to schedule and cost, well planning, operational aspects, well incidents, operators' well response, operational aspects and status of safety critical equipment. Indicators are suggested for some of the areas. For other areas, more research is needed to identify the indicators and their relevance and validity.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Deepwater drilling, Risk management, Safety indicators, Macondo blowout

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753511000828
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ingrid.b.utne@ntnu.no jon.e.skogdalen@uis.no

Title

Magnitude and oxidation potential of hydrocarbon gases released from the BP oil well blowout

Reference

Nature Geoscience
Volume:4, Pages:160-164 Year published:(2011)

Author(s)

Samantha B. Joye, Ian R. MacDonald Ira Leifer & Vernon Asper

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The deep-sea hydrocarbon discharge resulting from the BP oil well blowout in the northern Gulf of Mexico released large quantities of oil and gaseous hydrocarbons such as methane into the deep ocean. So far, estimates of hydrocarbon discharge have focused on the oil released, and have overlooked the quantity, fate and environmental impact of the gas. Gaseous hydrocarbons turn over slowly in the deep ocean, and microbial consumption of these gases could have a long-lasting impact on oceanic oxygen levels. Here, we combine published estimates of the volume of oil released, together with provisional estimates of the oil to gas ratio of the discharged fluid, to determine the volume of gaseous hydrocarbons discharged during the spill. We estimate that the spill injected up to 500,000t of gaseous hydrocarbons into the deep ocean and that these gaseous emissions comprised 40% of the total hydrocarbon discharge. Analysis of water around the wellhead revealed discrete layers of dissolved hydrocarbon gases between 1,000 and 1,300m depth; concentrations exceeded background levels by up to 75,000 times. We suggest that microbial consumption of these gases could lead to the extensive and persistent depletion of oxygen in hydrocarbon-enriched waters.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems>>Marine pollution
Risk assessment>> Hazards>>Industrial accidents

Keywords

Biogeochemistry Oceanography

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v4/n3/full/ngeo1067.html
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mjoye@uga.edu

Title

The Red Mud Accident in Ajka (Hungary): Characterization and Potential Health Effects of Fugitive Dust

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technology
DOI: 10.1021/es104005r

Author(s)

Andras Gelencser, Nora Kovats, Beatrix Turczi et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

As a result of a tragic industrial accident, a highly alkaline red mud sludge inundated settlements and agricultural areas near Ajka, Hungary on October 4, 2010. One of the major concerns about the aftermaths of the accident is the potential health effects of vast amounts of fugitive dust from red mud sediment. Thus, we studied the chemical and physical properties of particles of red mud and its respirable fugitive dust, and performed toxicity measurements. Under unfavorable meteorological conditions dry red mud sediment could emit very high amounts of respirable alkaline particles into the air. The number size distribution of fugitive dust peaks above 1 µm aerodynamic diameter; therefore, its inhalation is unlikely to affect the deep regions of the lungs. No significant mineralogical or elemental fractionation was observed between the sediment and dust, with the major minerals being hematite, cancrinite, calcite, and hydrogarnet. Although the high resuspension potential and alkalinity might pose some problems such as the irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, based on its size distribution and composition red mud dust appears to be less hazardous to human health than urban particulate matter.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es104005r
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Contact the study author at:

mihaly.posfai@gmail.com

Title

Risk acceptance criterion for tanker oil spill risk reduction measures

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 116-127

Author(s)

George PsarrosRolf Skjong and Erik Vanem

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper is aimed at investigating whether there is ample support for the view that the acceptance criterion for evaluating measures for prevention of oil spills from tankers should be based on cost-effectiveness considerations. One such criterion can be reflected by the Cost of Averting a Tonne of oil Spilt (CATS) whereas its target value is updated by elaborating the inherent uncertainties of oil spill costs and establishing a value for the criterion's assurance factor. To this end, a value of $80,000/t is proposed as a sensible CATS criterion and the proposed value for the assurance factor F = 1.5 is supported by the retrieved Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs' Annual Reports. It is envisaged that this criterion would allow the conversion of direct and indirect costs into a non-market value for the optimal allocation of resources between the various parties investing in shipping. A review of previous cost estimation models on oil spills is presented and a probability distribution (log-normal) is fitted on the available oil spill cost data, where it should be made abundantly clear that the mean value of the distribution is used for deriving the updated CATS criterion value. However, the difference between the initial and the updated CATS criterion in the percentiles of the distribution is small. It is found through the current analysis that results are partly lower than the predicted values from the published estimation models. The costs are also found to depend on the type of accident, which is in agreement with the results of previous studies. Other proposals on acceptance criteria are reviewed and it is asserted that the CATS criterion can be considered as the best candidate. Evidence is provided that the CATS approach is practical and meaningful by including examples of successful applications in actual risk assessments. Finally, it is suggested that the criterion may be refined subject to more readily available cost data and experience gained from future decisions.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Risk acceptance criteria, Risk informed decision-making, Oil spill, Probabilistic modelling, Environmental protection and the marine, environment

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X10004029
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

George.Psarros@dnv.com