“An Inevitable Consequence:” Changing Ideas of Prevention in the Wake of Catastrophic Events

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-438
Author(s):  
TERESA SABOL SPEZIO
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Visual Evidence ◽  
The Face ◽  
Policy Transformation ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Oil Spill Cleanup ◽  
Spilled Oil

AbstractIn the face of technology failures in preventing oil from reaching beaches and coasts after catastrophic oil spills in the 1960s and early 1970s, the oil industry and governmental officials needed to quickly reconsider their idea of prevention. Initially, prevention meant stopping spilled oil from coating beaches and coasts. Exploring the presentations at three oil-spill conferences in 1969, 1971 and 1973, this idea of prevention changed as the technological optimism of finding effective methods met the realities of oil-spill cleanup. By 1973, prevention meant stopping oil spills before they happened. This rapid policy transformation came about because the oil industry could not hide the visual evidence of the source of their technology failures. In this century, as policymakers confront invisible pollutants such as pesticides and greenhouse gases, considering ways to visually show the source of the pollution along with the effects could quicken policy decisions.

scholarly journals MODELING THE WIND INFLUENCE IN AN OIL SPILL ALONG THE SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN SHELF

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
C. E. Stringari ◽  
W. C. Marques ◽  
L. F. Mello ◽  
R. T. Edit
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Temperature Fields ◽  
Local Wind ◽  
Wind Influence ◽  
Oil Density ◽  
Environmental Agencies ◽  
Spilled Oil

Oil spills can generate different effects in different time scales on the marine ecosystem. The numerical modeling of this process is an important tool with low computational cost which provides a powerful appliance to environmental agencies regarding the risk management. In this way, the objective of this work is evaluate the local wind influence in a hypothetical oil spill along the Southern Brazilian shelf. The numerical simulation was carried using the ECOS model (Easy Coupling Oil System), an oil spill model developed at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande – FURG, coupled with the tridimensional hydrodynamical model TELEMAC3D (EDF, France). The hydrodynamic model provides the velocities, salinity and temperature fields used by the oil spill model to evaluate the behavior and fate of the oil. The results suggest that the local wind influence are the main forcing driven the fate of the spilled oil. The direction and intensity of the currents are important controlling the behavior and the tridimensional transportation of the oil, on the other hand, the turbulent diffusion is important for the horizontal drift of the oil. The weathering results indicate 40% of evaporation and 80% of emulsification, and the combination of these processes leads an increasing of the oil density around 53.4 kg/m³ after 5 days of simulation.

OIL SPILL PREPAREDNESS: THE OIL INDUSTRY AND THE NATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 830
Author(s):  
D.J. Blackmore
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
State Governments ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Current State ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Definition Of

It is vital that there is a credible and well organised arrangement to deal with oil spills in Australia.The National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil, the umbrella oil spill response plan for Australia, is a combined effort by the Commonwealth and State Governments, the oil industry and the shipping industry.The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC), formed in 1991, is an industry centre set up for rapid response with equipment and resources, together with a training and industry coordination role.A review of the National Plan in 1992, identified, amongst a number of issues, that the National Plan needed to be re-focussed, to ensure full integration of all government and industry activities for the first time. This has led to greatly improved understanding between government and industry and significant improvements to Australia's oil spill response preparedness. The National Plan review has also resulted in a clearer definition of the responsibilities for operational control, together with the organisational structure to deliver a successful response.The current state of Australia's National Plan is such that it does provide confidence that there is the capacity to deliver an effective response to oil spills in the marine environment. Nevertheless, there is more to be done, particularly in the areas of planning and exercises.

Task Force on Oil Spill Preparedness: A Canadian On-Shore Evaluation

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne O. Wiebe ◽  
Paul Wotherspoon
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Oil Pipelines ◽  
Overall Evaluation ◽  
Offshore Activities

ABSTRACT The oil industry's ability to effectively contain and clean up oil spills has been questioned over the years, and recent events have heightened this concern. Growing public interest and efforts by the upstream oil industry in Canada to assess its operations resulted in formation of the Task Force on Oil Spill Preparedness. The study was sponsored by the Canadian Petroleum Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of Canada, which represent most companies in the upstream industry. The overall evaluation concentrates on both onshore and offshore activities, but this paper discusses only the onshore segment. In the past 40 years the industry has made substantial efforts to prevent oil spills. As a result, Canada has experienced no catastrophic oil spills in operating about 40,000 producing wells and 37,000 km of oil pipelines. In spite of these efforts, the industry believes there is room for improvement. The study recommends allocating more resources to improving equipment, training on-site personnel, establishing better communications within companies and between companies and regulatory agencies, and continuing research in oil spill countermeasures. These recommendations are being incorporated in the existing framework to improve the response capability of the upstream oil industry.

Recent Results from Oil Spill Response Research

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 673-676
Author(s):  
Edward Tennyson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Yield Information ◽  
Environmental Test ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT Recent large oil spills from tankers have reaffirmed the need for continuing technology assessment and research to improve oil-spill response capabilities. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) remains a lead agency in conducting these studies. This paper discusses MMS concerns, as reinforced by the acceleration of its research program in 1990. It briefly assesses the current state-of-the-art technology for major aspects of spill response, including remote sensing, open-ocean containment, recovery, in-situ burning, chemical treating agents, beach-line cleanup, and oil behavior. The paper reports on specific research projects that have begun to yield information that will improve detection and at-sea equipment performance. The first detection project, for which MMS has patent pending, involves the use of shipboard navigational radar to track slicks at relatively long range. The second project involves the use of conventional containment and cleanup in a downwind mode, which is contrary to the traditional procedures. The paper also discusses current research projects, including the development of an airborne, laser-assisted fluorosensor that can determine whether apparent slicks contain oil. Additional projects involve the development of improved strategies for responding to oil in broken-ice conditions, for gaining an improved understanding of the fate and behavior of spilled oil as it affects response strategies, and for reopening and operating the oil and hazardous materials simulated environmental test tank (OHMSETT) facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. Recent progress on the development of safe and environmentally acceptable strategies to burn spilled oil in-situ is also discussed. The OHMSETT facility is necessary for testing prospective improvements in chemical treating agents and to develop standard procedures for testing and evaluating response equipment.

OIL SPILL CLEANUP WITH DISPERSANTS: A BOOMED OIL SPILL EXPERIMENT

1981 ◽  
Vol 1981 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-268
Author(s):  
Joseph Buckley ◽  
David Green ◽  
Blair Humphrey
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Visual Observation ◽  
Oil Droplets ◽  
Oil Boom ◽  
Dispersed Oil ◽  
Vertical Density ◽  
Oil Spill Cleanup

ABSTRACT Three experimental oil spills of 200, 400, and 200 litres (l) were conducted in October, 1978, in a semiprotected coastal area on Canada's west coast. The surface slicks were restrained with a Bennett inshore oil boom. The spilled oil was chemically dispersed using Corexit 9527, applied as a 10-percent solution in sea water and sprayed from a boat. The dispersed oil was monitored fluorometrically for some hours. Surface and dispersed oil were sampled for chemical analysis. The highest recorded concentration of dispersed oil was 1 part per million (ppm). After a short time (30 minutes), concentrations around 0.05 ppm were normal, decreasing to background within 5 hours. The concentrations were low compared to those expected for complete dispersion which, as visual observation confirmed, was not achieved. The dispersed oil did not mix deeper into the water column with the passage of time, in contrast to predicted behaviour and in spite of the lack of a significant vertical density gradient in the sea water. This was attributed to the buoyancy of the dispersed oil droplets and the limited vertical turbulence in the coastal locale of the experiment. The integrated quantity of oil in the water column decreased more rapidly than either the mean oil concentration of the cloud or the maximum concentration indicating that some of the dispersed oil was rising back to the surface. The surfacing of dispersed oil was confirmed visually during the experiment. The mixing action of the spray boat and breaker boards apparently created large oil droplets that did not form a stable dispersion. Horizontal diffusion of the dispersed oil was initially more rapid than expected, but the rate of spreading did not increase with time as predicted. The results imply that the scale of diffusion was larger than the scale of turbulence which again can be attributed to the locale of the experiment.

PROPERTIES OF CRUDE OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS (NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY DATABASE)

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (2) ◽  
pp. 975-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Jokuty
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Oil Products ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
The Media ◽  
Ease Of Access ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
The Many ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT When an oil spill occurs, there is an immediate need on the part of spill responders to know the properties of the spilled oil, as these will affect the behavior, fate, and effects of the oil, which will in turn affect the choice of countermeasures. However, it is often difficult or impossible to obtain a sample of the spilled oil, let alone the specialized analysis required to determine its properties, in a manner timely enough to suit the circumstances of an oil spill. Under the scrutiny of the media and the public, answers regarding the identity and predicted behavior of the spilled oil will be expected immediately, if not sooner. In preparation for such emergencies, the Emergencies Science Division (ESD) of Environment Canada has been collecting properties data for crude oils and oil products since 1984. Basic physical properties—density, viscosity, pour point, etc.—and environmentally relevant characteristics—evaporation rates, emulsion formation, chemical dispersibility—are measured. Properties related to health and safety—flash point, volatile organic compounds, sulfur—also are determined. In fact, nearly 20 different types of measurements are made for both fresh and weathered crude oils and oil products. To date data has been collected for more than 400 oils. For ease of access, this information is stored in an electronic database. The database in turn is accessible via the World Wide Web, and is also periodically printed in an easy-to-read catalogue format. The wide variety of data collected in the database also makes it possible to examine both simple and complex relationships that may exist between oil properties and spill behavior. This presentation will review the full scope of information determined and collected by ESD. Using tables and graphs, examples will be presented of the many ways in which this information can be viewed and used by both laymen and experts in the field of oil spills.

DEVELOPMENT OF ABSORBENT TECHNOLOGY FOR OIL SPILL RECOVERY AND CLEANUP IN ARCTIC ENVIRONMENT

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 2017-076
Author(s):  
Changwoo Nam ◽  
Houxiang Li ◽  
T.C. Mike Chung
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Fast Kinetics ◽  
Refined Oil ◽  
New Class ◽  
Penn State ◽  
Tank Test ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT 2017-076 In this paper, we discuss a new class of i-PetroGel oil-superabsorbent technology that has shown a potential solution to the oil spill recovery and cleanup in arctic environments, based on the laboratory tests at Penn State and an open tank test at Ohmsett. This i-PetroGel material is formed by polyolefin polymers that are petroleum downstream products with similar oleophilic and hydrophobic properties of oil molecules. Apart from many oil sorbents based on adsorption, i-PetroGel absorbs oil by absorption (similar to Hydrogel absorbing aqueous solutions) and swells to a large volume. During Ohmsett testing, i-PetroGel flakes spread on top of the affected area showed effective transformation of Alaska North Slope (ANS) oil into a floating gel on the seawater surface, which was effectively recovered by an oleophilic drum skimmer and pumped to a storage tank. The recovered ANS oil-swelled adducts, containing <0.1 wt% water, exhibit similar distillation characteristics as the original ANS oil. Overall, this i-PetroGel technology could potentially provide a comprehensive solution for combating oil spills, with the goal to dramatically reduce the environmental impacts from oil spills and help recover one of the most precious natural resources. i-PetroGel exhibits a combination of desirable properties. ✓ High oil absorption capacity about 35–40 times by weight at 3 and 25 °C. ✓ Suitable to a broad range of hydrocarbons, including complex crude oils, refined oil products (gasolines, diesels, heating oils, etc.), and solvents (toluene, benzene, etc.). ✓ Fast kinetics in capturing the spilled oil. ✓ No detectable water absorption in i-PetroGel. ✓ The resulting oil/i-PetroGel adducts floating on water surface are recovered by skimmer. ✓ The recovered oil/i-Petrogel adducts can be refined as crude oil through standard refining processes. ✓ Cost effective. ✓ No secondary pollution.

EPHEMERAL DATA COLLECTION GUIDANCE MANUAL, WITH EMPHASIS ON OIL SPILL NRDAS

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 1029-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon A. Robilliard ◽  
Paul D. Boehm ◽  
Michael J. Amman
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Environmental Sampling ◽  
Beach Sediments ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT The purpose of the guidance manual is to identify for first responders the basic methods for collecting, preserving, and documenting essential ephemeral samples and data that are needed for NRDA and general environmental assessment in oil spills. The manual assumes that first responders will have limited specialized experience, expertise, and equipment in environmental sampling. Ephemeral data and samples include (a) source oil and freshly spilled oil, (b) the spatial distribution and amount of oil on the water surface and on shorelines, (c) unoiled beach sediments, (d) oil in the water column in unoiled and oiled areas, and (e) selected unoiled intertidal organisms. The manual provides guidance on where, when, and how to collect each type of sample and data. The manual emphasizes the importance of documenting samples and data so that they can be used later to evaluate the environmental impacts of the spilled oil.

LOGISTICS FOR THE CONDUCT OF CONTROLLED OIL SPILL EXPERIMENTON BIORESTORATION OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (2) ◽  
pp. 1467-1469
Author(s):  
Stéphane Grenon ◽  
Vincent Jarry ◽  
Darcy Longpré ◽  
Kenneth Lee ◽  
Albert D. Venosa
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
The United States ◽  
Freshwater Wetlands ◽  
Environmental Groups ◽  
Emergency Responders ◽  
And Control ◽  
Oil Spill Cleanup ◽  
St Lawrence River

ABSTRACT The St. Lawrence River, situated between Canada and the United States, provides a major transport route in North America for the transport of millions of tons of crude oil, condensates, and refined products each year. In addition, as one of the largest rivers in the world, it is of major ecological significance. For example, over 55,000 hectares of wetlands are found along the St. Lawrence alone. These areas provide habitat for wildlife, the nurseries for fisheries, and control coastal erosion are highly vulnerable to oil spills. Furthermore, as traditional oil spill cleanup methods may be ineffective or cause more damage, emergency responders are considering less intrusive methods such as biorestoration as operational countermeasures. A biorestoration experiment was designed to measure the effectiveness of this method in the St. Lawrence River. To conduct this experiment, 1,200 liters of crude oil were to be spilled in a controlled manner over an experimental zone of 750 m2 in a marsh area. To obtain regulatory approvals from governmental agencies, environmental groups and, more importantly, to avoid the “not in my backyard” protests from the local communities, site selection, emergency planning, contingency measures, and especially community meetings, were all necessary steps towards the acceptance of the project. This controlled spill was done in June 1998 without any incident. Sampling of the experimental site will be completed in the fall of 2000. This paper aims to provide insights on the steps needed to gain acceptance from concerned citizens for the conduct of a controlled oil spill experiment.

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