scholarly journals ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PAC BARONESS OIL AND COPPER SPILL

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 (1) ◽  
pp. 413-419
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Hyland ◽  
Janet Kennedy ◽  
James Campbell ◽  
Susan Williams ◽  
Paul Boehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Amphipod Species ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Detection ◽  
Surrounding Area ◽  
Surficial Sediments ◽  
Point Conception ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Number Of Individuals

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to investigate the initial environmental effects of an offshore oil and copper spill resulting from the sinking of the freighter Pac Baroness approximately 19 kilometers (km) southwest of Point Conception, California, at a water depth of 430 meters (m). Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS) was used to examine the distribution and levels of hydrocarbons in surficial sediments and to compare patterns of hydrocarbons in the sediments to those of a source-oil sample obtained from the vessel. Potential impacts of the spill on macroinfauna were also evaluated by examining changes in community structure and composition and in abundances of component species, based on comparison between control and wreck-site samples. Results of the chemical analyses show that sediment samples collected in the vicinity of the Pac Baroness contain elevated levels of hydrocarbons and other petroleum components that clearly originate from the oil on board the sunken vessel. Statistical comparisons of the macroinfaunal data reveal distinct biological effects of the spill within the immediate surrounding area of the vessel, at water depths of 410 to 436 m. Among these effects are significant reductions in mean number of species, mean number of individuals (all species combined), abundances of several component species (half of which are dominants within the community), and the combined abundance of sensitive amphipod species. These initial levels of contamination and associated environmental effects are unique in consideration of the extreme water depth in which the spill occurred.

OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION: WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND DO THEY JUSTIFY LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO COASTAL WATERS?

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
R.P. Warren
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Oil

A proposal to undertake exploration in the coastal waters adjacent to Sydney/Newcastle/Wollongong has brought strong protests on environmental grounds. This opposition is committed and the basis for it should be considered in the wider context of offshore exploration around Australia. Of the various activities involved in oil and gas exploration the potential impacts of marine seismic surveys and the likelihood of a blowout- related oil spill are those of greatest concern to the media and public.A review of the available literature shows the environmental effects of seismic surveys to be of little consequence provided non- explosive energy sources are used. The effects of an oil spill are heavily dependent on site conditions and the type of oil spilled.The literature shows that direct exposure to spilled oil is fatal to many marine species. However, the potential lethal effects are largely dependent on direct exposure and this declines with the weathering and degradation of the spill. Moreover, the risks of an oil spill occurring as a result of current transportation and handling of oil in coastal waters and points around Australia are much greater than would be presented by drilling an exploratory well.In considering the role of exploration as an assessment procedure rather than a land use it is possible to draw parallels between the conservation status of Australian coastal waters today and the onshore situation some 20 years ago. The offshore oil and gas exploration industry needs to take several measures if it is to avoid denial of access for exploration. These include clearly identifying the environmental effects of exploration as opposed to production, adopting industry- wide codes for environmental practice, and recording and disseminating the industry's environmental performance.

Offshore oil: Investigating production parameters of fields of varying size, location and water depth

Fuel ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 430-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sällh ◽  
Henrik Wachtmeister ◽  
Xu Tang ◽  
Mikael Höök
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Offshore Oil

Effects of Contaminants on Environmental Quality

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morton Lippmann ◽  
Richard B. Schlesinger
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
Visual Range

This chapter reviews the potential for adverse environmental effects which may occur due to chemical pollutants. These include biological effects in domestic animals and livestock, ornamental plants, and crops and forests, and disruptions of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They also include safety issues, such as atmospheric visual range reductions due to light-scattering particles, health issues such as stratospheric ozone reduction caused by fluorocarbons, aesthetic nuisances, and economic issues related to chemical odorants and foliar damage of commercial vegetation. The role of air pollution in climate change is also presented using an historical perspective, as is the potential environmental effects of such change.

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