Toxicity of sediments from around a North Sea oil platform: are metals or hydrocarbons responsible for ecological impacts?

Discharges of contaminated drill cuttings have caused appreciable ecological change of the benthos adjacent to many oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Many platforms have large piles of cuttings lying beneath them and these probably present the greatest potential hazard to the environment during platform decommissioning and removal. There is, however, a lack of consensus on which aspects of drill cuttings are responsible for the adverse ecological effects. This hinders risk assessment of management options. Here we report data on the toxicity of sediments from around the North West Hutton platform to the amphipod Corophium volutator, the polychaete Arenicola marina and the Microtox" acute test system. Sediment was acutely toxic to Corophium out as far as 600 m from the platform. Sediment from 100 m from the platform remained acutely toxic to Corophium when 3% contaminated sediment was mixed with clean sediment. A 10% dilution of this sediment also inhibited Arenicola feeding almost completely. Sediment elutriates did not inhibit Microtox light output, but organics extracted by dichloromethane were very toxic. Fifteen minute EC50 values were as low as 0.25 mg ml(-1) and were strongly correlated with hydrocarbon concentrations. Metal concentrations in whole sediments were correlated with their toxicity to Corophium but the relationship was much weaker when data on dilutions were included. Except at sites immediately adjacent to the platform, metal concentrations were well below ERL values from the literature, so were too low to explain sediment toxicity. Toxicity of sediments to Corophium was closely correlated with their hydrocarbon content, even when tests on dilutions were included in the analysis. We conclude that hydrocarbons are the most significant cause of toxicity in these sediments contaminated with oil based drill cuttings and that polar organics, sulphide. ammonia and other water soluble substances are of much lower significance. Applying OSPAR guidelines to our data on the toxicity of cuttings pile material to Corophium data would give a maximum allowable concentration of 0.03% in clean sediments. The Microtox data indicate that sediments from deeper in the pile would require an even greater dilution than this.     

An evaluation of underlying mechanisms for “fishing down marine food webs”

自1998年“捕捞降低海洋食物网”概念首次提出以来,渔获物平均营养级（Mean trophic level of fisheries landings,MTL）广泛用于评估捕捞活动对生态系统完整性的影响,并指导管理机构的政策制定。近年来研究表明,掌握MTL的潜在变化机制对于以MTL作为渔业可持续性指标至关重要。根据联合国粮农组织FAO提供的渔获统计数据,结合Fishbase提供的相关鱼种营养级,本文探讨了全球三大洋14个FAO渔区MTL的变化趋势,并进一步分析不同MTL变化趋势下高营养级鱼种和低营养级鱼种渔获量的变动情况。研究表明, MTL呈上升和回升状态均可能伴随着低营养级鱼种渔获量的下降。此外,通过观察营养级高于3.25鱼种的MTL以区分“捕捞降低海洋食物网”和“捕捞沿着海洋食物网”现象需考虑生态系统的群落结构和开发历程。利用渔获物平均营养级评价渔业可持续性必须综合考虑高营养级和低营养级鱼种,以及群落结构和开发历程的掩盖效应。     

Optimization of ship’s subdivision arrangement for offshore sequential ballast water exchange using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm

Ship’s subdivision arrangement is a multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem with multiple nonlinear constraints. This study focuses on finding a methodology for ship’s subdivision arrangement that can guarantee ship’s offshore sequential ballast water exchanging (SBWE) performances in the preliminary design stage. A mathematical model is built using minimizing trims and hull girder longitudinal bending moments and shearing forces occurred in the SBWE as the objectives, and the multiple safety criteria of the SBWE as the constraints. The longitudinal lengths of the ballast water tanks (BWTs) are taken as design variables that will alter within a reasonable length range. An elitist nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is utilized to perform the optimization, in which the nondominated sorting mechanism is employed to handle the multiple objectives, and the constraint-domination principle is utilized to handle the multiple constraints. A special crossover operator called the dispersion apportioned allelic (DAA) crossover is introduced to perform the reproduction of the special problem. A real case study of the subdivision arrangement based on the SBWE of a 50,000DWT double hull product tanker is conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Development of an adaptive disturbance rejection system for the rapidly deployable stable platform—Part 2: Controller design and closed loop response

Currently, both military and civilian operations that require at-sea cargo transfers are severely limited by environmental conditions and loading forces that induce vessel motions. To increase the robustness of at-sea cargo transfer to these environmental conditions and loading forces, efforts have recently been made toward an actively controlled, rapidly deployable stable platform (RDSP). The purpose of the research presented here is to implement an output feedback adaptive controller and adaptive disturbance rejection scheme that will mitigate the effect of environmental conditions and reject disturbances caused by various loading situations. Because of the controller's distinct ability to adapt to various operating conditions, anticipate and reject load disturbances of unknown magnitude, and adjust to stay within input saturation constraints, the framework is a good fit for the RDSP. Three missions are considered using a previously developed 3 degree of freedom simulation of a 1/10th scale RDSP prototype. Results show successful mitigation of load disturbances and a significant reduction in pitch motions using a control command that remains within the given amplitude and rate constraints. In the case of cargo transfer operations, the adaptive control system is able to significantly increase the cargo throughput by rejecting the disturbances before they are able to cause large pitching dynamics.     

Development of an adaptive disturbance rejection system for the rapidly deployable stable platform–part 1: Mathematical modeling and open loop response

A Rapidly Deployable Stable Platform (RDSP) concept was investigated at Florida Atlantic University in response to military and civilian needs for ocean platforms with improved sea-keeping characteristics. The RDSP is designed to have enhanced sea-keeping abilities through the combination of a novel hull and thruster design coupled with active control. The RDSP is comprised of a catamaran that attaches via a hinge to a spar, enabling it to transit like a trimaran and then reconfigure so that the spar lifts the catamaran out of the water, creating a stable spar platform. The focus of this research is the mathematical modeling, simulation, and response characterization of the RDSP to provide a foundation for controller design, testing, and tuning. The mathematical model includes a detailed representation of residual drag, friction drag, added mass, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure, and control actuator dynamics. Validation has been performed by comparing the simulation predicted motions of the RDSP operating in waves to the measured motions of the 1/10th scale prototype measured at sea. Resulting from this paper is an empirical assessment of the response characteristics of the RDSP that quantifies the performance under extreme conditions and provides a solid basis for controller development and testing.     

Reestablishment of an accretionary prism after the subduction of a spreading ridge—constraints by a geometric model for the Golfo de Penas, Chile

Seismic studies offshore southern Chile have revealed the presence of a 70–80 km wide accretionary prism seaward of the Golfo de Penas (GPAP), where the Chile Ridge collided with the South American Plate between 3 and 6 Ma ago. Using the paleo-positions of the Chile Ridge relative to South America, the maximum age of this accretionary prism, which continues to be formed in the aftermath of the ridge–continent collision, has been estimated. Building on these earlier findings, this study presents a mass balance analysis based on a 2D model of accretionary wedge and trench geometry. This model can explain the relative importance of sedimentary fluxes and deformation front migration for the wedge restoration. The proposed model can also serve to evaluate the effects of fluctuations in (1) terrigenous sediment flux related to climate change, and (2) subduction channel thickness on the accretionary prism growth. Notably, the data reveal that the key parameters controlling the rebuilding of the GPAP are the terrigenous sediment flux (75 km²/10⁶ years), the relative advance of the deformation front (39.6 km/10⁶ years), and the thickness of the subduction channel (0.1 km). Moreover, the range of possible solutions for the observed size of the accretionary prism is narrowed by fitting the present-day thickness of sediments at the deformation front. Finally, climate-induced variations in sedimentary fluxes on the margin can affect the rate of growth of the accretionary prism during short periods of time (<100,000 years).     

A fluorometer on the basis of powerful light emitting diodes for determination of the chlorophyll “a” concentration

A simple fluorometer for determination of the chlorophyll “a” (chl “a”) concentration in an extract based on bright light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the blue and IR spectrum range used as a continuous excitation light source and light detector, respectively, has been described. Results of calibration and validation of the system’s signal with the help of extracts with different chl “a” concentrations are presented.     

An improved core catcher for the Kiel box corer (“Kastenlot”)

The optimum efficiency of the Kiel box corer (“Kastenlot”) is dependent upon certain mechanical properties of the sediments. To avoid this limitation, a new core catcher was constructed and has been tested for several years in both shallow and deep-water sediments. The essential part of this catcher is a reinforced canvas curtain which is pulled slantwise through the core before the corer is pulled out of the sediment.     

A stratigraphic and tectonofacies framework of the “calcari aLucina” in the Apennine Chain,Italy

The Apennine Chain provides the first example of stratigraphic (time) and synsedimentary tectonic (space) distribution of the calcari aLucina Miocene equivalents of modern cold-vent carbonates. Chemosynthetic faunal assemblages and related carbonate deposits are found at different stratigraphic levels, with peaks during Langhian-Serravallian and late Tortonian-early Messinian times. A general increase in frequency and volume occurs with time. A genetic link between venting and the Messinian Evaporite event is difficult to demonstrate. However,Lucina limestones are limited to preevaporitic times, and their maximum abundance is reached just before the onset of the Messinian Evaporite accumulation.Lucina limestones occur in almost all tectofacies of the orogen, from backland to foreland.     

Developing a sustainable indicator system based on the pressure–state–response framework for local fisheries: A case study of Gungliau,Taiwan

To sustain fishery development and ensure the supply of fish, the role that a sustainable development indicator system plays in the evaluation of fishery management performance is becoming increasingly important. A sustainable indicator system based on the Pressure–State–Response (PSR) framework was developed for local fisheries in Gungliau, Taiwan, between 1995 and 2003. Factor analysis and canonical correlation analysis were also applied to aggregate indicators and analyse the linkage of indicators. The most serious problem facing fishery system in Gungliau is conflicting local and higher levels of enforcement that result in the problems of effort, harvest and fleet age composition related to the pressure component. Fishery resources and the state of ecosystem were also affected by marine environmental change, especially by El Ñino. Consequently, fishermen adjusted their effort and investment to the variation of Fishery resources, leading Gungliau fisheries to unsustainability.     

An improved wind speed algorithm for “Jason-1” altimeter under tropical cyclone conditions

Rain effect and lack of in situ validation data are two main causes of tropical cyclone wind retrieval errors. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration＇s Climate Prediction Center Morphing technique （CMORPH） rain rate is introduced to a match-up dataset and then put into a rain correction model to remove rain effects on ＂Jason-1＂ normalized radar cross section （NRCS）; Hurricane Research Division （HRD） wind sPeed, which integrates all available surface weather observations, is used to substitute in situ data for establishing this relationship with ＂Jason-l＂ NRCS. Then, an improved ＂Jason-l＂ wind retrieval algorithm under tropical cyclone conditions is proposed. Seven tropical cyclones from 2003 to 2010 are studied to validate the new algorithm. The experimental results indicate that the standard deviation of this algorithm at C-band and Ku-band is 1.99 and 2.75 m/s respectively, which is better than the existing algorithms. In addition, the C-band algorithm is more suitable for sea surface wind retrieval than Ku-band under tropical cyclone conditions.     

Effects of a tanker accident and an oil blowout in Bristol Bay,Alaska, on returning adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)—A simulation study

The effects of a tanker accident releasing 34000 tons of diesel fuel and a blowout releasing 3000 t/day of crude oil on adult sockeye salmon returning through Bristol Bay, Alaska, were simulated. Parameters in the simulation were chosen to maximize possible effects of the oil. Mortalities from the tanker accident were predicted to range from 2% to 18% of the adults passing through the spill area or 1% to 5% of the total returning population. From 3% to 7% of the adults surviving migration through the spill area, or 1% to 2% of the total population, could be tainted at or above 0·6 ppm of hydrocarbons in the flesh. As many as 30% of the adults returning to fishing grounds closest to the spill area could be tainted. Effects of the blowout on returning salmon were less severe than those of the tanker accident, with mortalities reaching a maximum of 0·2% of the adults passing through the area of the blowout, and no tainting predicted above 0·6 ppm.     

Towards an explanation of why onboard fires happen: The case of an engine room fire on the cruise ship “Le Boreal”

As the cruise ship industry enjoys continuous growth and penetration into new markets, good safety records must be maintained to achieve business objectives. Unfortunately, serious incidents and accidents reoccur on modern cruise ships and hence a better understanding of why this continues to happen is needed. This paper contributes towards a better understanding of underlying causal factors behind onboard fires, focusing on consequential engine room fires in particular. By analysing a recent fire incident on an almost new cruise ship built to the latest standards, we reveal potential deficiencies in maritime safety control and suggest how they can be rectified. The incident analysis was guided by systemic method CAST, which enables to explore a complex socio-technical system responsible for safety control. The analysis provides a different, more comprehensive explanation of, and response to, the incident from that in the official accident investigation report. Given the systemic nature of suggested causal scenarios, they are capable to explain and preclude other incidents. From a practical point of view, the findings would allow developing and maintaining robust safety management systems, which are currently required onboard.     

Determination of the chlorophyll “a” concentration using a combined method based on measurements with a modified photometer

A method of chlorophyll ??a?? determination based on fluorescence and optical density measurements with a compact photometer is described. Our modification of the method allows one to determine the chlorophyll ??a?? with a simple instrument in the field with acceptable accuracy. The results of the calibration and validation of the method obtained from conventional spectrophotometric determinations in Antarctic waters are shown.     

Centrifuge modelling of lateral loading behaviour of a “semi-rigid” Mono-pile in soft clay

Abstract

Mono-pile foundations have been widely used for offshore wind turbines principally due to their convenient construction and cost-effective nature. So far, little attention has been paid to large diameter “semi-rigid” piles that have distinct behaviours from flexible or ideally rigid piles. This paper presents a series of centrifuge model tests to study the deforming and bearing characteristics of a 5.9 dia. semi-rigid pile under lateral loadings in kaolin clay. For monotonic loading, a modified p–y curve analysis model considering rotational soil flow near the rotation centre of pile was proposed, highlighting the limitation of classic plane-strain based plasticity models to evaluate the ultimate lateral pile-soil resistance. For cyclic loading, a strong correlation between the degree of soil degradation and cyclic load amplitude was identified. Besides, a degradation factor model, accounting for various cyclic stress levels and soil depths, was proposed, which can be used to assess the accumulative displacement of semi-rigid piles under cyclic loadings in soft clay.     

Annot Sandstone in the Peïra Cava basin: An example of an asymmetric facies distribution in a confined turbidite system (SE France)

High-resolution physical stratigraphy and detailed facies analysis have been carried out in the foredeep turbidites of Annot Sandstone in the Peïra Cava basin (French Maritime Alps) in order to characterize the relationship between facies and basin morphology. Detailed correlation patterns are evidence of a distinction between a southern bypass-dominated region, coincident with a channel-lobe transition and a north-eastern depositional zone, represented by sheet-like basin plain. These depositional elements are characterized by three main groups of beds related to the downcurrent evolution of bipartite flows. These facies groups are: 1) pebbly coarse-grained massive sandstones with rip-up mudstone clasts and impact mudstone breccias (Type I and II beds) deposited by basal dense flows, 2) coarse-grained massive sandstone overlain by tractive structures (Type III and IV beds) indicating the bypass of overlying turbulent flows and 3) massive medium-grained and fine-grained laminated sandstones related to the deposition of high and low density turbidity currents (Type V and VI beds). Ponding and reflection processes, affecting the upper turbulent flows, can characterize all type beds, but especially the beds of the third group. As described in other confined basins of the northern Apennines (Italy), the lateral and vertical distribution of these type of beds, together with other important sedimentary characteristics, - such as the sandstone/mudstone ratio, bed thicknesses, amalgamation surfaces and paleocurrents - reveal that the deposition of the Annot Sandstone in the Peïra Cava basin was controlled by an asymmetric basin with a steep western margin. This margin favored, on the one hand, basal dense flow decelerations and impacts, as well as bypass and deflection of the upper turbulent flows towards the north east.