A Study of Oil Biodegradation in the Black Sea Water

A laboratory study was conducted to examine oil biodegradation in the presence of a fouling organism community. It is shown that the majority of fouling species exhibit relatively weak tolerance to oil. Oil degradation in seawater is shown to proceed quicker and more completely in the presence of the fouling organism community than it does without such organisms. The population of specific bacterial groups is shown first to grow and next decrease as a result of accumulation in water of toxic products of their vital activity. Oil biodegradation is found to cause substantial changes in the water hydrochemical characteristics in experimental vessels.     

Study of genetic evolution of oil inclusion and density of surface oil by measurement of fluorescence lifetime of crude oil and oil inclusion

By using fluorescence lifetime image microscope (FLIM) and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) technique, we measured fluorescence lifetime of crude oils with density of 0.9521–0.7606 g/cm³ and multiple petroleum inclusions from Tazhong uplift of Tarim Basin. As indicated by the test results, crude oil density is closely correlated with average fluorescence lifetime following the regression equation Y=–0.0319X+0.9411, which can thus be used to calculate density of oil inclusions in relation to fluorescence lifetime and density of corresponding surface crude. For type A oil inclusions showing brown-yellow fluorescence from Tazhong 1 well in Tarim Basin, their average fluorescence lifetime was found to be 2.144–2.765 ns, so the density of surface crude corresponding to crude trapping these oil inclusions is 0.852–0.873 g/cm³, indicating that they are matured oil inclusions trapped at earlier stage of oil formation. For type B oil inclusions with light yellow-white fluorescence, their average fluorescence lifetime was found to be 4.029–4.919 ns, so the density of surface crude corresponding to crude trapping these oil inclusions is 0.784–0.812 g/cm³, indicating that they are higher matured oil inclusions trapped at the second stage of oil formation. For type C oil inclusions showing light blue-green fluorescence, their average fluorescence lifetime was found to be 5.063–6.168 ns, so the density of surface crude corresponding to crude trapping these oil inclusions is 0.743–0.779 g/cm³, indicating that they are highly-matured light oil inclusions trapped at the third stage of oil formation.     

Oil Products in Bottom Sediments of Freshwater Bodies

The specific features of freshwater bodies are shown to facilitate the accumulation of oil products in bottom deposits. The oil product components are found to be represented by hydrocarbons and tars. The latter component can account for more than 50% of their total. The extent of bottom deposits pollution by oil products is assessed for a number of freshwater bodies in Russia.     

Oil pollution impact on marine communities and a problem of sea water quality improvement

Sea entered pollutions, in particular oil and oil products, interact complexly with marine biota. On the one hand, oil causes disfunction of marine communities, death of some marine representatives and sometimes of the whole community. On the other hand, marine organisms and their communities transform pollutions during purification processes improving marine environment quality. It is known, that under pollution conditions the number of aquarium-inhabiting organisms is reduced and only the most resistable species are left. The study of such species opens perspectives for the creation of hydrobiological systems and their purposeful use in cleaning polluted waters and sanitation of coastal aquaria.     

Potential for photoenhanced toxicity of spilled oil in Prince William Sound and Gulf of Alaska waters

Photoenhanced toxicity is the increase in the toxicity of a chemical in the presence of ultraviolet light (UV) compared to a standard laboratory test conducted with fluorescent lighting (minimal UV). Oil products, weathered oil, and specific polycyclic aromatic compounds present in oil are 2 to greater than 1000 times more toxic in the presence of UV. The photoenhanced toxicity of oil to fish and aquatic invertebrates appears to occur through a process of photosensitization, rather than photomodification of the aqueous phase oil. In photosensitization, the bioaccumulated chemical transfers light energy to other molecules causing toxicity through tissue damage rather than a narcosis mechanism. The available evidence indicates that phototoxic components of oil are specific 3-5 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocycles. Determinants of photoenhanced toxicity include the extent of oil bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and the spectra and intensity of UV exposure. No studies have specifically investigated the photoenhanced toxicity of spilled oil in Alaska waters. Although there are substantial uncertainties, the results of this evaluation indicate there is potential for photoenhanced toxicity of spilled oil in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. The potential hazard of photoenhanced toxicity may be greatest for embryo and larval stages of aquatic organisms that are relatively translucent to UV and inhabit the photic zone of the water column and intertidal areas. Photoenhanced toxicity should be considered in oil spill response because the spatial and temporal extent of injury to aquatic organisms may be underestimated if based on standard laboratory bioassays and existing toxicity databases. Additionally, the choice of counter measures and oil removal operations may influence the degree of photoenhanced toxicity.     

Hazard assessment of silicone oils (polydimethylsiloxanes, PDMS) used in antifouling-/foul-release-products in the marine environment

Non-eroding silicone-based coatings can effectively reduce fouling of ship hulls and are an alternative to biocidal and heavy metal-based antifoulings. The products, whose formulations and make up are closely guarded proprietary knowledge, consist of a silicone resin matrix and may contain unbound silicone oils (1-10%). If these oils leach out, they can have impacts on marine environments: PDMS are persistent, adsorb to suspended particulate matter and may settle into sediment. If oil films build up on sediments, infiltration may inhibit pore water exchange. PDMS do not bioaccumulate in marine organisms and soluble fractions have low toxicity to aquatic and benthic organisms. At higher exposures, undissolved silicone oil films or droplets can cause physical-mechanic effects with trapping and suffocation of organisms. These 'new' effects are not covered by current assessment schemes. PDMS make the case that very low water solubility and bioavailability do not necessarily preclude damage to marine environments.     

Review of behaviour of oil in freezing environments

The current knowledge of the physical fate and behaviour of crude oil and petroleum products spilled in Arctic situations is reviewed. The fate and final deposition of oil in marine conditions is presented as based on the extant literature.

Spreading models were evaluated for oil on ice, under ice, in snow, in brash ice, and between blocks of ice. Models of oil transport under sheet and broken ice were considered, both for sea and river conditions. The ability of ice sheets to trap oil is discussed in relation to oil storage capacity. The effects of oil on a growing ice sheet were examined, both in terms of ice formation and the thermal effects of oil inclusions in ice. The migration of oil through ice was reviewed, focussing primarily on the movement through brine channels. The effects of oil on the surface of ice were considered, with emphasis on the effects of surface pools on ice melt. Similar consideration was given to the effects of oil on snow on the surface of ice.

The few quantitative studies of oil in open and dynamic ice conditions are reviewed. Observations of intentional small-scale spills in leads and ice fields are reviewed and compared with observations from real spills. The conditions under which “oil pumping” from leads occurs were quantified. The most common ultimate fate of oil in an ice field is to be released onto the water surface.     

The role of chemical river runoff in the anthropogenic transformation of the state of the aquatic environment in the Enisei mouth area

Analysis of long-term regime hydrochemical data collected by the State Service of Environmental Monitoring (SSEM) was used to assess the anthropogenic load on the near-delta area of the Enisei mouth area near Igarka and Dudinka towns. Main trends in the accumulation of biogenic compounds and pollutants, such as oil products, phenols, and copper and iron compounds are identified. It is shown that the current anthropogenic load and the degree of aquatic environment pollution bring about a trend toward the transition of the Enisei near-delta ecosystem from equilibrium into a crisis state.     

An oil spill-food chain interaction model for coastal waters

An oil spill-food chain interaction model, composed of a multiphase oil spill model (MOSM) and a food chain model, has been developed to assess the probable impacts of oil spills on several key marine organisms (phytoplankton, zooplankton, small fish, large fish and benthic invertebrates). The MOSM predicts oil slick thickness on the water surface; dissolved, emulsified and particulate oil concentrations in the water column; and dissolved and particulate oil concentrations in bed sediments. This model is used to predict the fate of oil spills and transport with respect to specific organic compounds, while the food chain model addresses the uptake of toxicant by marine organisms. The oil spill-food chain interaction model can be used to assess the environmental impacts of oil spills in marine ecosystems. The model is applied to the recent Evoikos-Orapin Global oil spill that occurred in the Singapore Strait.     

Recent developments in study of the typical superimposed basins and petroleum accumulation in China:Exemplified by the Tarim Basin

Most of petroliferous sedimentary basins in China have experienced multiple phases of tectonic evolution and deposition, and are characterized by tectonic and depositional superimposition. The term "superimposed basin" is suggested to describe those basins which consist of two or more simple prototype basins superimposing vertically and/or coalescing laterally. The characteristics of petroliferous superimposed basins are "multiple stages of basin forming and reworking, multiple layers of source rocks, multiple periods of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion, multiple periods of petroleum migration-accumulation-escape". Therefore,applying the wave process analysis method to studying the process of basin formation, hydrocarbon generation, and reservoir formation, and then establishing theory of "petroleum accumulation system" is helpful to enhancing petroleum exploration efficiency in superimposed basins.This paper will, based on case study in the Tarim basin, report the major developments in studying basin formation, hydrocarbon generation and petroleum accumulation. In study of basin formation, (1) geophysical comprehensive profiles reveal that the Tarim plate has been subducted beneath the Tianshan orogenic belt with an interfinger structure and that the deep structure in the eastern section of the Tianshan orogenic belt is different from that in the western section. (2) The vertical variation in debris and geochemical composition reveals the nature and Mesozoic-Cenozoic evolution history of the Kuqa Depression. (3) Field investigation and paleostress reconstruction show that the Kuqa Depression has undergone gravity-driven extension in sedimentary cover when the Tianshan uplifted vertically. In hydrocarbon generation study, new developments include (1) setting environmental index to judge high grade source rocks in marine carbonates, and (2) establishing the lower limit of the organic carbon content for effective carbonate source rocks. In petroleum accumulation study, (1) methods of determining paleopressure and paleotemperature of forming fluid inclusions have been established. (2) The petroleum source analysis has indicated that the crude oil in the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields are derived from the source rocks of the Middle and Upper Ordovician. (3) Three generations of oil inclusions from the Lunnan oilfield have been recognized and dated.     

Chronic pollution of freshwater bodies: Data on accumulation of pesticides,oil products,and other toxic substances in bottom deposits

The results of studies aimed to assess the information significance of the coefficients of bottom accumulation of hydrophobic organic substances and heavy metals as indicators of pollution of freshwater bodies are presented. It is shown that the same value of the coefficient of bottom accumulation may correspond to different situations in water bodies. Methods for the interpretation of data on the state of water bodies based on the coefficient of bottom accumulation and its components are proposed to reliably determine the level and character of pollution. Chronic pollution of a number of freshwater bodies of the Russian Federation is assessed by data on the accumulation of pesticides, oil products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals in bottom deposits.     

Chronic exposure of adults and embryos of Pandalus borealis to oil causes PAH accumulation, initiation of biomarker responses and an increase in larval mortality

Adult shrimps (Pandalus borealis) and their embryos were exposed to an oil-water dispersion (OWD) at concentrations of 0.015, 0.06 and 0.25 mg/L using a continuous flow system. Lysosomal membrane stability was analysed in haemocytes using the neutral red retention assay and an alkaline unwinding assay was used to measure DNA damage in hepatopancreas tissue. Exposure to oil induced concentration and time dependent biomarker responses in adult shrimps together with the accumulation of PAH in their tissues. Oil exposure of shrimp embryos caused increased mortality in the resultant larvae, even if the larvae were kept in clean water after hatching. There were minor differences observed in larval stage development times in the first part of the experiments. The fatty acid composition of embryos exposed to oil was different to that of non-exposed larvae. PAH tissue concentration and biomarker responses correlated to the reduced survival of the shrimp larvae.     

Consequences of linseed oil spills in salt marsh sediments

In a simulated spill in a salt marsh, linseed oil penetrated rapidly into the sediments at a rate of 10(-7) cm2 s(-1). The oil concentration remained unchanged for the first month after the spill, but 60% of the oil disappeared from the top 30 cm after a further month. The oil adsorbed to and accumulated in the muddy sediments (top 15 cm) leading to decreased sediment permeability, pH, Eh, abundance of plant roots and infauna and to the establishment of anoxic conditions. These changes accompanied transformations in the original fatty acid composition of the linseed oil, mainly associated with a decrease in 18 : 3omega3, an increase in the other fatty acids and the presence of 'new' fatty acids. A rapid increase in the abundance of heterotrophic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and aerobic oil degrading bacteria, suggested that these micro-organisms degraded the oil. The role of the bacteria in oil degradation was confirmed in laboratory experiments where the fatty acids composition of the linseed oil underwent identical transformations to those obtained in the field. The degradation of linseed oil appears to be a sequential process initiated by aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria and continued by sulphate reducing bacteria, which were unable to degrade the raw oil.     

Simulated distribution and ecotoxicity-based assessment of chemically-dispersed oil in Tokyo Bay

To assess risks of chemically-dispersed oil to marine organisms, oil concentrations in the water were simulated using a hypothetical spill accident in Tokyo Bay. Simulated oil concentrations were then compared with the short-term no-observed effect concentration (NOEC), 0.01 mg/L, obtained through toxicity tests using marine diatoms, amphipod and fish. Area of oil concentrations higher than the NOEC were compared with respect to use and non-use of dispersant. Results of the simulation show relatively faster dispersion near the mouth of the bay compared to its inner sections which is basically related to its stronger water currents. Interestingly, in the inner bay, a large area of chemically-dispersed oil has concentrations higher than the NOEC. It seems emulsifying oil by dispersant increases oil concentrations, which could lead to higher toxicity to aquatic organisms. When stronger winds occur, however, the difference in toxic areas between use and non-use of dispersant is quite small.     

Carbon isotopic studies of individual lipids in organisms from the Nansha sea area, China

Sediments contain abundant lipid compounds in general, which are used as biomarker compounds to study organic matter sources and reconstruct the pa-laeoenvironments[1—7]. However, lipid compounds in sediments are generally a mixture of various genetic components so that it is difficult to correctly decouple their biological sources only by the results of bio-chemical researches. Carbon isotopic studies of indi-vidual sedimentary lipid compounds can discover their genetic information, which pr…     

长岭地区东北部拗陷层油气成藏特征及储层预测

本文从长岭凹陷隐蔽油气藏勘探实际出发,以分析该区的油气地质条件、控砂主导因素及油气成藏规律为主线,利用钻井、地震等资料通过地震属性分析、测井约束反演等方法对该区进行了储层预测,寻找有利的储层分布范围,研究砂体在空间展布特征,掌握砂体与断层的配置关系、砂体的尖灭情况,进而识别不同类型隐蔽型圈闭.指出该区隐蔽油气藏主要有三种成藏类型,即构造-岩性复合型、砂岩上倾尖灭型、砂岩透镜体型.远物源缓坡河流-三角洲沉积体系控制该区砂体分布,使得油气富集成藏规律主要表现为多层位含油,各个砂组交互发育;单个油藏面积小,在平面上具有多套砂体形成迭合连片的特征.主要目的层,如青一、二段砂体,以三角洲前缘分支河道发育为主,河道走向北东向.研究区内的断层走向近南东—北西向,与砂体走向垂直.这种断层与砂体配置关系,易形成构造-岩性复合圈闭.     

The scientific connotation of oil and gas formations under deep fluids and organic-inorganic interaction

As a relatively stable craton block in the earth system, the petroliferous basin is influenced by the evolution of the earth system from the early development environment of source rocks, hydrocarbon formation, and reservoir dissolution to hydrocarbon accumulation or destruction. As a link between the internal and external factors of the basin, deep fluids run through the whole process of hydrocarbon formation and accumulation through organic-inorganic interaction. The nutrients carried by deep fluids promote the bloom of hydrocarbon-generating organisms and extra addition of carbon and hydrogen source, which are beneficial to the development of high-quality source rock and enhancement of the hydrocarbon generation potential. The energy carried by the deep fluid promotes the early maturation of the source rock and facilitates the hydrocarbon generation by activation and hydrogenation in high-mature hydrocarbon sources. The dissolution alteration of carbonate rocks and clastic reservoirs by CO_2-rich deep fluids improves the deep reservoir space, thus extending the oil and gas reservoir space into greater depth. The extraction of deeply retained crude oil by deep supercritical CO_2 and the displacement of CH_4 in shale have both improved the hydrocarbon fluidity in deep and tight reservoirs. Simultaneously, the energy and material carried by deep fluids(C, H, and catalytic substances) not only induce inorganic CH_4 formation by Fischer-Tropsch(F-T) synthesis and "hydrothermal petroleum" generation from organic matter by thermal activity but also cause the hydrothermal alteration of crude oil from organic sources. Therefore, from the perspective of the interaction of the earth's sphere, deep fluids not only input a significant amount of exogenous C and H into sedimentary basins but also improve the reservoir space for oil and gas, as well as their enrichment and accumulation efficiencies.     

Method for generating parameterized ecotoxicity data of dispersed oil for use in environmental modelling

The aim of the work was to establish methodology for realistic laboratory-based test exposures of organisms to oil dispersions, specifically designed to generate parameterized toxicity data. Such data are needed to improve the value of numerical models used to predict fate and effects of oil spills and different oil spill responses. A method for continuous and predictable in-line production of oil dispersions with defined size distribution of different oil qualities was successfully established. The system enables simultaneous comparison between the effects of different concentrations of dispersion and their corresponding equilibrium water soluble fractions. Thus, net effects of the oil droplet fraction may be estimated. The method provides data for comparing the toxicity of oil dispersions generated both mechanically and with the use of chemical dispersions, incorporating the toxicity of both dissolved oil and droplets of oil.     

Toxicity of oil-sinking agents

It may be necessary to immobilize an oil spill of more than 10,000 tons in European waters by sinking with sand. The possibility of damage to marine organisms from the sinking agents used has been investigated and it is concluded that toxic effects are unlikely to result.     

Oil and Dispersants in Canadian Seas—Recommendations from a Research Appraisal

A Canadian multi-authored appraisal of research on oil and dispersants has been completed recently. It resulted in a number of recommendations concerning research on oil spills, on relevant physical-chemical factors, effects of chemically dispersed oil on marine organisms, and strategies to minimize effects of oil spills in northern marine waters.