Simulation of the movement and dispersion of oil slicks in the Arabian Gulf

The extensive oil drilling and transportation activities in the Arabian Gulf increased the possibility of oil spills and the consequent threat of oil pollution to the regional ecology. The available literature concerning the main aspects of the physical oceanographic characteristics affecting the movement and spreading of oil spill in the Gulf are reviewed. It is concluded that evaporation, wind-driven currents, and sandfall are important as weathering processes, while tidal currents cause lateral spreading of the slick. Oil spill modelling has shown some usefulness in estimating the trajectories of few major spills illustrated by reference to three models developed for the Gulf. The performance of these models, their capabilities and limitations are reviewed. Recommendations are made to gather more data on the behavior of oil spills in this particular environment.     

Natural attenuation and bioremediation of Prestige fuel oil along the Atlantic coast of Galicia (Spain)

Heavy fuel oil spilled from the oil tanker Prestige in November 2002 affected hundreds of km of Spanish shoreline. We carried out a two year study at two highly contaminated sites in order to monitor natural attenuation of the residues coating shore rocks and to test the effectiveness of bioremediation with an oleophilic fertilizer (S200). The methodology included an innovative approach for oil load calculation (based on image analysis techniques), the analysis of the fate of hydrocarbons by means of chemical biomarkers and different microbiological techniques for isolating and examining hydrocarbon degraders.Considerable hydrocarbon depletion from shorelines (≈100% for light-medium linear alkanes and ≈35% for aromatics such as pyrene) was observed within the first months after the spill. However, this natural attenuation effect dramatically slowed down in the following year, although partial enhancement (especially for the aromatic fraction) was attained as a result of the application of S200 to stimulate indigenous microorganisms. In addition, one of the main outcomes of this work concerns the remarkable hydrocarbon depletion achieved at points where fresh water flowed through the shore rocks. The study of samples collected where this natural attenuation phenomenon took place made it possible to isolate heterotrophic bacteria and fungi that are likely to cooperate with cyanobacteria in hydrocarbon biodegradation. The overall results strongly advocate the implementation of new bioremediation approaches, including alternatives such as the use of natural fresh water to irrigate polluted areas.     

Application of an oil spill vulnerability index to the shoreline of lower Cook Inlet,Alaska

Offshore tracts in Alaska's lower Cook Inlet are scheduled to be opened for exploratory petroleum drilling in the near future. Because of the potential for oil spills resulting from this activity, a field study of the coastal zone was conducted in June 1976. A total of 1216 km of shoreline was classified into 3 types: erosional (45 percent), neutral (38 percent), and depositional (17 percent). These were further subdivided into 16 subclasses on the basis of small scale morphological features. This classification was used in conjunction with a vulnerability index of potential oil spill damage, developed through study of three major oil spills, to predict the longevity of oil in the different coastal environments of the Inlet. On a scale from 1 to 10, 45 percent of the shoreline has low values of 1 to 4, which means that oil would be dispersed by natural processes within less than six months after a spill on these coasts. Values from 4 to 6 were assigned to 13.4 percent of the shoreline, where oil residence time may be up to one year. A 6 to 10 rating was assigned to 41.5 percent of the shoreline, where oil contamination may remain for periods of two to ten years, or possibly longer should no major clean-up procedures be initiated. We propose that the use of this type of vulnerability indexing, in conjunction with a biological susceptibility index and oil spill trajectory models, would provide a rational basis for decision making concerning the location of on- and off-shore oil facilities and the design of oil spill contingency plans.     

Evaluation of the diagnostic ratios for the identification of spilled oils after biodegradation

Biodegradation, one of the most important weathering processes, alters the composition of spilled oil, making it difficult to identify the source of the release and to monitor its fate in the environment. A laboratory experiment was conducted to simulate oil spill weathering process of microbial degradation to investigate compositional changes in a range of source- and weathering-dependent molecular parameters in oil residues, and the conventional diagnostic ratios for oil spill identification were also evaluated. The conventional diagnostic ratios of n-alkane displayed obvious changes after biodegradation, especially for Pr/n-C₁₇ and Ph/n-C₁₈ with relative standard deviation more than 118.84 %, which suggests they are invalid for oil source identification of the middle-serious spill. Many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are more resistant to biodegradation process than their saturated hydrocarbon counterparts, thus making PAHs to be one of the most valuable fingerprinting classes of hydrocarbons for oil identification. Biomarker ratios of hopanes and steranes were also useful for source identification even after moderate biodegradation, and the diagnostic ratios from them could be used in tracking origin and sources of hydrocarbon pollution. Finally, the carbon isotopic type curve may provide another diagnostic means for correlation and differentiation of spilled oils, and be particularly valuable for lighter refined products or severely biodegraded oils, the source of which may be difficult to identify by routine biomarker techniques.     

Real-time application of an oil spill movement prediction system

This paper deals with the prediction, in real time, of the motion of experimental oil slicks. The experiments were conducted during September 1983 offshore near Halifax on the east coast of Canada. The objectives of the experiments were (i) to determine the suitability of oil spill dispersants as countermeasures and (ii) the testing and verification of oil spill trajectory models and systems.The Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) participated in the experiments to test the capability of its oil spill motion prediction system in providing real-time trajectory forecasts. The experiment consisted of three sets of spills. Each set had a control slick and a test slick. Sixteen barrels of crude oil were used in each spill. The test slicks were used to test the effectiveness of various dispersants, the control slicks were used to verify trajectory forecasts.The spill trajectories and oil weathering information obtained from the system during the experiments demonstrated the relative ease with which the system could handle the required input and provide timely forecasts. The accuracy of these forecast trajectories was confirmed by observations, and their utility was demonstrated by their application in the operational decision-making process.     

Impacts of the ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pacific Adventurer</Emphasis>’ Oil Spill on the Macrobenthos of Subtropical Sandy Beaches

Biological impacts of oil on sandy shore ecosystems remain incompletely understood, especially following smaller spills on subtropical beaches. Here we quantified changes to benthic assemblages on a sandy beach following the 270-t spill of heavy fuel oil from the Pacific Adventurer that occurred in March 2009 off Moreton Island in Eastern Australia. Assessments of ecological impacts are based on spatial contrasts between multiple reference and impact sites sampled 1 week and 3 months after the spill. Benthic invertebrate assemblages exposed to oil had significantly fewer individuals of fewer species 1 week after the spill, markedly changing their ecological structure. Biological differences consistent with oil-related mortality were significant on the lower shore and in the swash and remained so 3 months after the spill. This signals a lack of recovery of these communities in the short term, despite the fairly rapid removal of oil. Results show that, despite the relatively small size of the spill, heavy fuel oil contamination can cause substantial impacts on sandy beach ecosystems, and that recovery may be prolonged.     

Richness of drilling sludge taken from an oil field quagmire: potentiality and environmental interest

The drilling sludge represents a complex environment, containing several types of pollutants that can be even used as nutrients by indigenous microorganisms, like hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, having good potentialities for the biodegradation of petroleum products. In this study, a drilling sludge was collected from drilling quagmire. Physicochemical characterization of the drilling sludge was done. Its mineralogy was obtained by diffractometry. The indigenous aerobic sludge hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were checked by counting on Bushnell–Haas medium, and their isolation and purification were performed by the selective microbial enrichment technique in a batch-enriched Bushnell–Haas culture, with crude oil as the sole carbon source. Isolates were characterized, and their power to emulsify crude oil was determined by emulsification index and oil spreading tests. Environmental conditions in the quagmire, like temperature, pH and moisture, were suitable for bacterial development. Physicochemical characteristics of the drilling sludge showed richness in chemical elements and promote microbial life. Fifteen different colonies of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were isolated and purified; they have diversified morphological and microscopic aspects. Most isolates had a good emulsification index (between 31 and 76 %). Oil spreading test gave clear zone diameters >28 mm, with a maximum of 60 mm. The results of these investigations prove the elementary, mineralogy and microbiology richness of drilling sludge and reveal the high diversity of its indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial flora. These properties can be exploited for the own restoration of petroleum quagmires in oil fields, by means of bioremediation applications and by integrating indigenous microorganisms.     

塔里木盆地北部志留系顶面不整合中陆相原油的成藏历史与油气富集机制

塔里木盆地志留系发育厚层沥青砂,显示优越的含油气性.继塔中地区志留系原油勘探取得突破之后,塔北地区志留系砂岩风化壳型储层也发现了工业油藏.根据原油的甾、萜烷和噻吩类生物标记化合物的分布特征,结合原油的物理化学性质以及族组分稳定碳同位素特征分析,明确了塔北西部英买35井区志留系风化壳原油来源于库车凹陷三叠系黄山街组湖相烃源岩,与塔北东部同发育在志留系风化壳剥蚀尖灭线附近的哈得18C井海相原油形成鲜明对比.通过志留系砂岩流体包裹体均一温度测试,结合地层埋藏史研究成果,推断英买35井区志留系砂岩主要成藏时间为距今5 ～ 8Ma的晚喜山期.结合库车凹陷两套陆相烃源岩的生烃演化重构了该区域湖相原油的成藏过程,表明康村组沉积后白垩系卡普沙良群与志留系风化壳是湖相油气向台盆区输导的重要通道,预示着湖相原油运移充注的范围十分广泛.成藏机理分析表明,志留系风化壳的构造幅度和面积控制了油气的充注范围,直接盖层的封盖条件控制了风化壳储层的含油气性.塔北地区东、西部志留系风化壳的暴露时间和地层组合关系的差异,是东部形成海相含油气系统,而西部发育海、陆相油藏垂向上叠置,互不交叉的复式含油气系统的重要原因.     

Geophysical investigation using resistivity and GPR methods: a case study of a lubricant oil waste disposal area in the city of Ribeirão Preto,São Paulo,Brazil

Geophysics has been shown to be effective in identifying areas contaminated by waste disposal, contributing to the greater efficiency of soundings programs and the installation of monitoring wells. In the study area, four trenches were constructed with a total volume of about 25,000 m³. They were almost totally filled with re-refined lubricating oil waste for approximately 25 years. No protection liners were used in the bottoms and laterals of the disposal trenches. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the potential of the resistivity and ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods in characterizing the contamination of this lubricant oil waste disposal area in Ribeirão Preto, SP, situated on the geological domain of the basalt spills of the Serra Geral Formation and the sandstones of the Botucatu Formation. Geophysical results were shown in 2D profiles. The geophysical methods used enabled the identification of geophysical anomalies, which characterized the contamination produced by the trenches filled with lubricant oil waste. Conductive anomalies (smaller than 185 Ωm) immediately below the trenches suggest the action of bacteria in the hydrocarbons, as has been observed in several sites contaminated by hydrocarbons in previously reported cases in the literature. It was also possible to define the geometry of the trenches, as evidenced by the GPR method. Direct sampling (chemical analysis of the soil and the water in the monitoring well) confirmed the contamination. In the soil analysis, low concentrations of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found, mainly naphthalene and phenanthrene. In the water samples, an analysis verified contamination of the groundwater by lead (Pb). The geophysical methods used in the investigation provided an excellent tool for environmental characterization in this study of a lubricant oil waste disposal area, and could be applied in the study of similar areas.     

生物降解作用对烷基萘异构体分布的影响及其控制因素

在受到溢油污染的海滩上采集不同时间序列的石油样品,对芳烃组分烷基萘中的三甲基萘和四甲基萘各异构体的生物降解过程响应进行了详细分析。研究揭示,三甲基萘比四甲基萘更易被生物降解,其中1,2,7-三甲基萘、2,3,6-三甲基萘、2,3,6,7-四甲基萘、1,2,3,7-四甲基萘和1,3,5,7-四甲基萘等异构体具有相对较高的生物降解效率,与最近 Ostojié等利用理论模型计算所给出的降解序列十分一致,进一步证实了烷基萘在表生环境中的降解主要受控于异构体萘环上取代基的数量和位置。研究结果对于表生环境中萘系物类多环芳烃污染的生物修复评价具有重要指导意义。     

鄂尔多斯盆地中部气田奥陶系风化壳气藏天然气来源及混源比计算

对鄂尔多斯盆地中部气田天然气碳同位素资料按不同地区、不同层位进行了分析,认为奥陶系风化壳气藏甲烷碳同位素值与石炭-二叠系气藏的接近,在平面上变化趋势相似,而与风化壳之下奥陶系自生自储的油型气相差较大。奥陶系风化壳气藏的来源是以石炭-二叠系煤成气为主,定量计算表明,在中部气田的大部分地区,石炭-二叠系来源气的比例大于70％。     

The H nuclear spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times at BEarth of some liquids associated with environmental spills

Assessing the extent of an environmental spill is the first step in soil remediation. Near-surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging is proposed as a possible technique for in situ imaging the extent of a spill because of the hydrogen or proton NMR signal associated with the most commonly spilled liquids. Before such a technique is developed, the available signal needs to be assessed. The hydrogen spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times of the spilled liquids are the best indicator of the signal. These relaxation times were measured for a variety of hydrocarbons that might be associated with spills. The relaxation times are measured at the Earth’s magnetic field, as these times are field dependent and a near-surface MRI will most likely operate at this magnetic field. With the exception of the more viscous hydrocarbons such as diesel fuel and motor oil, the lower viscosity liquids possess relaxation time values which should yield a good NMR signal from a near-surface MRI operating at the Earth’s magnetic field.     

Impact of ‘Chitra’ Oil Spill on Tidal Pool Macrobenthic Communities of a Tropical Rocky Shore (Mumbai,India)

A collision between the ships MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia 3 in the mouth region of Mumbai Harbour led to a leakage of around 800 t of fuel oil in August 2010, affecting the rocky intertidal region of Colaba. To evaluate the impact of this catastrophic event on the resident biota, a 15-month-long sampling programme was initiated in the oil-affected area immediately after the spill. Petroleum hydrocarbons in water and sediment organic carbon values were high just after the oil spill but subsequently decreased in the following months. In total, 70 macrobenthic taxa were identified. Univariate diversity indices indicated that while the ecological status of the site, albeit briefly, was affected during August 2010, a healthy environment prevailed subsequently. Cluster and multi-dimensional scale (MDS) analyses distinctly segregated the oil impacted monsoon months from the other sampling months. BIOENV analyses indicated that petroleum hydrocarbons and organic carbon were the anthropogenic parameters influencing macrobenthic community structure. Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes Amphipods (BOPA) index was used to evaluate the ecological quality of the study area as the index is sensitive to oil pollution. Low BOPA values throughout the study period indicated that the environment was good with few opportunistic species. Comparison with past data revealed that the oil spill did not have long-term deleterious effects on the macrobenthic species diversity of this rocky beach, and reasons thereof are discussed.     

黄土地区石油污染土壤生物修复的强化技术初探

以石油为典型污染物,在本次试验前期工作筛选保藏的众多优势石油降解细菌中选择4株降解能力突出的菌,对该4菌株(分别编号为A、B、C、D)进行随机混合构建优势降解菌群。结果表明：菌群A-C-D降解石油能力最强,3 d内原油的降解率达到了39.67%,比单菌除油率提高了13.21%;对该菌群的最佳投加配比进行确定,菌群的最佳接种配比为A∶C∶D=1∶2∶0.5,3 d内菌群A-C-D在不同接种配比情况下降解率变化范围为27.8%~44.2%,最高值与最低值相差16.4%,因此菌群间各菌必须维持在一定的数量配比的情况下才能达到理想的降解效果。对影响生物修复效果的环境因素,如营养物质(C、N、P)、表面活性剂、通氧量、电子受体等进行综合考虑,通过正交试验确定菌群A-C-D的最佳修复条件为：营养物质配比C∶N∶P为75∶8∶3,表面活性剂为0.5%,通气条件为六层纱布,电子受体H₂O₂的加入量为1.5%。在最佳修复条件下,3 d内原油的降解率达到6146%,比自然条件修复下的除油率4.7%提高了56.76%,较只进行菌种强化时的最高除油率44.2%提高了约17%。     

塔河油田、普光气田碳酸盐岩储层特征对比研究

中国海相碳酸盐岩油气勘探相继发现了以塔里木盆地塔河油田、四川盆地普光气田为代表的一批大中型油气田。本文系统对比了塔河油田、普光气田碳酸盐岩储层基本特征、成岩作用和控制因素。礁滩型储层一般物性较好,储集类型为孔隙型或裂缝-孔隙型,非均质性弱;风化壳岩溶型储层一般物性较差,储集类型多样,非均质性极强。白云石化是超深层（〉6000m）碳酸盐岩储层形成的重要机制,白云岩较灰岩储层平均孔隙度可提高3．5％～4．0％。硫酸盐热化学还原（TSR）反应主要是对储层进行强烈改造,改善程度并不大。沉积相、构造作用对不同类型储层的影响程度、影响方式不尽一致：对于风化壳岩溶型储层,沉积相的影响主要体现在对岩石可溶性、透水性的控制上,在岩石可溶、透水的基础上构造作用控制了储层的发育范围及程度;礁滩型储层受沉积相的严格控制,构造作用形成的裂缝对储层物性有明显改善。     

Response of the phoxocephalid amphipod,Rhepoxynius abronius,to a small oil spill in Yaquina Bay,Oregon

A spill of approximately 284,000 liters of Bunker C and diesel fuel oils occurred at the entrance of Yaquina Bay, Oregon, following the wreck of the freighterBlue Magpie on 19 November 1983. A portion of this oil entered the lower estuary and was deposited on subtidal benthic habitats occupied by the phoxocephalid amphipodRhepoxynius abronius. This species is particularly sensitive to contaminants in sediment and its life history had previously been studied at the same sites affected by the spill. The oil was initially present as small, sand-coated globules at the study site, and persisted in association with detritus and sediment for months. Bioassays withRhepoxynius abronius showed that the oil globules were not acutely toxic unless mixed into the sediment at concentrations of 1.0 parts per thousand or greater. A series of 10-d bioassays before and after the spill showed that sediment collected from oiled subtidal sites did not become acutely toxic to this species. Although the density of theR. abronius population declined by 75% after the spill, similar declines of the same population were observed at this site in fall 1980. Oil-exposedR. abronius from Yaquina Bay were slightly more sensitive to cadmium in sediment than individuals from Whidbey Island, Puget Sound, Washington. Although mean fecundity was greater in 1984 than in 1981, recruitment following the spill was lower than in the 1980–1981 study. Thus, there is limited evidence for a small impact of the oil spill on this sensitive amphipod.     

哈得逊与轮南地区原油碳同位素特征及影响因素

轮南地区与哈得逊地区20个原油的全油碳同位素和正构烷烃单体烃碳同位素的分析结果表明:轮南地区原油的全油碳同位素均大于-32‰,而哈得逊地区原油的全油碳同位素一般小于-32‰;原油正构烷烃单体烃碳同位素也表现出轮南地区重于哈得逊地区的特征。两地区原油碳同位素的这种特征是由于两地区油气成藏过程的差异造成的,轮南地区原油碳同位素比哈得逊地区的原油碳同位素重的主要原因是由于来源于寒武系降解原油的混入,而非油源不同造成的。     

Oil and gas pools in weathering crusts on the sedimentary basin basement

Weathering crusts of the sedimentary basin basement are collectors in several regions of the world. They enclose huge reserves of oil and gas. The paper considers the geochemical, mineral, and petrophysical heterogeneities of weathering crusts that should be taken into consideration in the prospecting, exploration, and development of hydrocarbon raw material therein. Areal and linear-fissure types of weathering crust are defined. They were formed before the overlapping of basement by rocks of the sedimentary cover. Areal crusts are pervasive at the basement roof, whereas linear-fissure crusts are formed along fractures. A complete weathering crust profile includes the following zones (from the bottom to top): disintegration, leaching and hydration, hydrolysis, and final hydrolysis. Rocks of the lower two zones represent the cavernous-fissure collector, while rocks of the upper zones are impermeable. In the arches of uplifted blocks of the basement, weathering crusts are subjected to erosion during marine transgressions. In such places, the roof is composed of rocks of the lower permeable zones that often make up a single heterogeneous natural reservoir overlapped by sandy collectors of sedimentary sequences. Linear-fissure weathering crusts show zonal distribution with good filtration-capacity properties. Several large oil and gas pools have been discovered in them.     

鄂尔多斯盆地奥陶系丘形反射的解释及其与礁的关系

鄂尔多斯盆地Ｔ９－Ｔ１０地震反射波组之间的奥陶系碳酸盐岩中存在着许多丘形反射,其中一部分属于以藻类生物为主的藻丘类型,一部分为东部盐凹中的盐丘,一部分为奥陶系顶古风化壳残丘,其它丘形反射为绕射波,回转波,或者为地表静校不当引起的假象,奥陶系的礁丘一般规模很小,岩性以粘结为主,其孔隙发育好坏同风化残丘一样,主要取决于次生溶蚀作用,但礁丘生长过程中由于受海面波动影响,曾发生过多次暴露,形成多期溶孔,礁     

短期原油污染致使冻土活动层细菌群落显著改变——以加格达奇冻土活动层为例

生物降解与土著微生物群落结构、功能及其变化密切相关. 目前, 对于东北冻土土壤中的适冷降解菌了解不足. 新建成的中俄输油管道穿越中国东北的多年冻土区, 为相关研究提供了契机. 实验利用454高通量测序分析了加格达奇冻土活动层土壤在受控原油污染前后的微生物群落结构. 结果显示: 污染后的Proteobacteria和Firmicutes相对丰度显著升高, 优势类群包括Alicyclobacillus、Sphingomonas、Nevskia以及Bacillus. 群落以芳烃降解菌或者耐受油污环境的细菌为主. 这种变化与原油(尤其是芳烃)组分的生态毒害作用有关. 较高浓度的原油污染下, 群落中可耐受油污环境的细菌丰度相对更高.