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Effectiveness of “Nochar” Solidifier Polymer in Removing Oil from Open Water in Coastal Wetlands
Spill Science & Technology Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 5/6, pp. 357±359, 1999 Ó 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain 1353-2561/00 $ - see front matter
PII: S1353-2561(99)00081-X
Eectiveness of ``Nochar'' Solidi®er Polymer in Removing Oil from Open Water in Coastal Wetlands R.D. DELAUNE*, C.W. LINDAU & A. JUGSUJINDA Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-7511, USA The use of solidi®er in oil spill cleanup has been minimal due to lack of practical application method and in situ ®eld testing and evaluation under various coastal and environmental conditions. Solidi®ers are dry granular, hydrophobic polymers that react with oil and form a cohesive mass that ¯oats on water. Unlike sorbents, the oil is retained in the solid mass allowing for easy removal. A ®eld test was conducted in coastal Louisiana in which replicated open water enclosures were oiled with South Louisiana Crude. Granular solidi®er was spread over oil and the solidi®ed oil was then removed from the plots. Over 70% of the applied oil was recovered. Results demonstrated that solidi®er may, under certain conditions, be an option for removing oil from wetlands. Ó 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Introduction Louisiana contains a large amount of riverine, estuarine, and coastal ecosystems. A signi®cant amount of petroleum is re®ned, stored, or transported through these areas. Louisiana is ranked fourth in crude oil production in the United States and in 1994 approximately 76 million barrels were produced onshore and state and federal oshore production accounted for about 265 million barrels (DOE/EIA, 1995). Petroleum and petroleum products are produced and transported by every Louisiana parish and total number of onshore oil and gas wells exceeds 175,000 (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1996). Millions of barrels of crude oil from numerous sources including: 1000s of miles of pipeline (Loop Pipeline), barges, and rail cars are transported through the state (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1996). Much of this production, shipping, and processing is located in or adjacent to wetland ecosystems. These wetlands provide ®sh and wildlife habitats and provide
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-225-388-8810; fax: +1-225-3886423. E-mail address: [email protected] (R.D. Delaune).
important water quality functions (Mitsch & Gosselink, 1994). Approximately 20% of the nationÕs crude oil ¯ows through LouisianaÕs coastal marshes (Davis & Guidry, 1996). In 1994, a total of 3471 oil spills aecting state lands and waters were reported to the Louisiana Oil Spill CoordinatorÕs Oce. Most spills occurred during oil transfer (Davis & Guidry, 1996). Public attention and pressure has focused on minimizing negative impacts of oil entering the environment. Oil and oil products also enter the environment in run-o from urban areas. Oil discharged to storm drains by home owners and businesses in heavily populated regions of the state are ultimately funneled through a series of lateral and primary canals into the aquatic environment. Solidi®ers strategically placed at selected sewer and discharge points could absorb oil and reduce the amount entering wetlands. A technology is needed that can recover oil from oil impacted environments, reducing adverse impacts to ecosystems and reducing potential long-term contamination and environment impacts. Clean-up can be costly in coastal wetland. Davis and Guidry (1996) have estimated that the average cost of a crude oil spill is $2300 per barrel with an additional $430 per barrel for clean-up material. 357
R.D. DELAUNE et al.
Clean-up eorts generally recover less than ten percent of the discharged oil (Davis & Guidry, 1996). Oil spill solidi®ers Oil spill solidi®ers have been available for more than 20 years, however applications have been primarily for laboratory or warehouse type spills. Appropriate application techniques and procedures for recovery of solidi®ed oil needs further evaluation (Walker et al., 1995). The use of solidi®ers in clean-up of oil spills has been minimal due to a lack of practical application methods and testing under various conditions and environments (Walker et al., 1995). Solidi®ers are dry granular, hydrophobic polymers that react with oil to form a cohesive, solidi®ed mass that ¯oats on water. Solidi®er material can be dispensed in dry particulate form, or in packaged forms: booms, pillows, and new encapsulating polymer fabric. Once solidi®ed, the material can be easily removed from soil or water, leaving behind no trace of oil or sheen (PERF, 1994). Firmly solidi®ed oil has a rubberlike consistency that tends to retain its shape and does not pull apart easily. Unlike sorbents, the oil is retained in the solid mass allowing for easy physical pickup and removal that eliminates the ``dripping sponge'' eect, thus minimizing residue and further contamination by reintroduction and mixing. Solidi®er material is not likely to cause adverse health effects to birds if ingested. These polymer materials are also essentially nontoxic to brine shrimp and investigated ®sh (PERF, 1994). The objectives of this study were to: (1) test eectiveness of granular solidi®er in removing spilled South Louisiana Crude Oil from surface of water in wetlands and (2) develop improved oil spill remediation techniques for collecting and removing oil entering Louisiana Coastal Wetlands.
Materials and methods A ®eld study was conducted at the Pointe Au Chien State Wildlife Management Area located in Terrebonne Parish. The solidi®er on water test was conducted in a stream bordering a saltmarsh (salinity 8±12 ppt). Three 1.22 m ´ 1.22 m test plots were constructed and South Louisiana Crude Oil was applied at a rate of 2 liters per square meter. This represented 3 liters of oil per 1.5 m2 test area. Granular solidi®er, Nochar A 650, was used in the study. Nochar A 650, a commercial product, is a dry granular, non-toxic, non-hazardous solidifying agent formulated for water-borne spills of petroleum based products including oils, fuels and solvents (Nochar 10333 N. Meridian, Suite 215, Indianapolis, IN 46290). The solidi®er was premeasured into 0.45 kg 358
Fig. 1 Application of solidi®er to oiled plots.
bags and applied by hand to the oiled plots (Fig. 1). Three bags were used in the 1.2 ´ 1.2 m test area. (approx. 1 part solidi®er to 2 parts crude oil).
Results and discussions Four days following application of solidi®er to oiled test plots, solidi®ed oil was removed, dried and weighed. The solidi®ed oil which was easily removed by hand was very cohesive, ®rm and did not break apart (Fig. 2). Over 70% of the applied oil was recovered (Table 1). Use of Nochar would be best suited for open water spills. The removal of solidi®ed oil from marsh environments would likely result in damage to plants. In summary: · The solidi®er reacted with the South Louisiana Crude forming a cohesive solid mass with no dripping oil eect. · The solidi®ed oil had a rubber like consistence that retained its shape which could be removed by either hand or mechanical means.
Fig. 2 Removal of solidi®er oil from plots. Spill Science & Technology Bulletin 5(5/6)
EFFECTIVENESS OF ``NOCHAR'' SOLIDIFIER POLYMER Table 1 Percent recovery of oil 4 days after applicationa
Total oil + solidi®er recovered Percent recovery (%)
Plot #1 Rep I
Plot #2 Rep II
Plot #3 Rep III
Average
2765 g 70.1
2858 g 72.5
2989 g 75.8
2870.7 g 72.8
a
Note: Oil applied at 3 l/plot ( 2580 g/plot. Oil density 0.86 g/cm3 ); Solidi®er applied at 3 bags/plot (1 bag 454.6 g, 3 bags 1363 g); Total oil + solidi®er applied 3943 g/plot.
· Results demonstrated that granular solidi®er can effectively remove oil from open water following a spill in coastal wetlands. AcknowledgementsÐThis research was supported by Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund (Grant LEQSF (97-99)-RD-B-05) and Exxon Research and Engineering. The authors thank G.P. Canevari and W.A. Dahl for technical consultation. The use of trade names of commercial products in article does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
References Davis, D.W., Guidry, R.J., 1996. Oil spills and the state responsibilities. Basin Research Institute Bulletin 6, 60±68.
Spill Science & Technology Bulletin 5(5/6)
Mitsch, W.J., Gosselink, J.G., 1994. Wetlands. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. Walker, A.H., Kucklick, J.H., Michel, J., Schloz, D.K., Reilly, T., 1995. Chemical treating agents: Response niches and development needs. Proceeding 1995 Oil Spill Conference, Long Beach, CA, pp. 203±209. Nochar 10333 N. Meridian, Suite 215, Indianapolis, IN 46290. DOE/EIA, 1995. US crude oil, natural gas and gas liquids reserves. 1994 Annual Report, DOE/EIA-0216 (94), Energy Information Administration, Oce of Oil and Gas. United States Department of Energy, Washington, DC. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1996. Well Status Master, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources/Oce of Conservation/Production Audit Division, Baton Rouge, LA. PERF, 1994. Solidi®ers for oil spill response. Petroleum Environmental Research Forum, PERF Project 92-16.
359
PII: S1353-2561(99)00081-X
Eectiveness of ``Nochar'' Solidi®er Polymer in Removing Oil from Open Water in Coastal Wetlands R.D. DELAUNE*, C.W. LINDAU & A. JUGSUJINDA Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-7511, USA The use of solidi®er in oil spill cleanup has been minimal due to lack of practical application method and in situ ®eld testing and evaluation under various coastal and environmental conditions. Solidi®ers are dry granular, hydrophobic polymers that react with oil and form a cohesive mass that ¯oats on water. Unlike sorbents, the oil is retained in the solid mass allowing for easy removal. A ®eld test was conducted in coastal Louisiana in which replicated open water enclosures were oiled with South Louisiana Crude. Granular solidi®er was spread over oil and the solidi®ed oil was then removed from the plots. Over 70% of the applied oil was recovered. Results demonstrated that solidi®er may, under certain conditions, be an option for removing oil from wetlands. Ó 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Introduction Louisiana contains a large amount of riverine, estuarine, and coastal ecosystems. A signi®cant amount of petroleum is re®ned, stored, or transported through these areas. Louisiana is ranked fourth in crude oil production in the United States and in 1994 approximately 76 million barrels were produced onshore and state and federal oshore production accounted for about 265 million barrels (DOE/EIA, 1995). Petroleum and petroleum products are produced and transported by every Louisiana parish and total number of onshore oil and gas wells exceeds 175,000 (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1996). Millions of barrels of crude oil from numerous sources including: 1000s of miles of pipeline (Loop Pipeline), barges, and rail cars are transported through the state (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1996). Much of this production, shipping, and processing is located in or adjacent to wetland ecosystems. These wetlands provide ®sh and wildlife habitats and provide
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-225-388-8810; fax: +1-225-3886423. E-mail address: [email protected] (R.D. Delaune).
important water quality functions (Mitsch & Gosselink, 1994). Approximately 20% of the nationÕs crude oil ¯ows through LouisianaÕs coastal marshes (Davis & Guidry, 1996). In 1994, a total of 3471 oil spills aecting state lands and waters were reported to the Louisiana Oil Spill CoordinatorÕs Oce. Most spills occurred during oil transfer (Davis & Guidry, 1996). Public attention and pressure has focused on minimizing negative impacts of oil entering the environment. Oil and oil products also enter the environment in run-o from urban areas. Oil discharged to storm drains by home owners and businesses in heavily populated regions of the state are ultimately funneled through a series of lateral and primary canals into the aquatic environment. Solidi®ers strategically placed at selected sewer and discharge points could absorb oil and reduce the amount entering wetlands. A technology is needed that can recover oil from oil impacted environments, reducing adverse impacts to ecosystems and reducing potential long-term contamination and environment impacts. Clean-up can be costly in coastal wetland. Davis and Guidry (1996) have estimated that the average cost of a crude oil spill is $2300 per barrel with an additional $430 per barrel for clean-up material. 357
R.D. DELAUNE et al.
Clean-up eorts generally recover less than ten percent of the discharged oil (Davis & Guidry, 1996). Oil spill solidi®ers Oil spill solidi®ers have been available for more than 20 years, however applications have been primarily for laboratory or warehouse type spills. Appropriate application techniques and procedures for recovery of solidi®ed oil needs further evaluation (Walker et al., 1995). The use of solidi®ers in clean-up of oil spills has been minimal due to a lack of practical application methods and testing under various conditions and environments (Walker et al., 1995). Solidi®ers are dry granular, hydrophobic polymers that react with oil to form a cohesive, solidi®ed mass that ¯oats on water. Solidi®er material can be dispensed in dry particulate form, or in packaged forms: booms, pillows, and new encapsulating polymer fabric. Once solidi®ed, the material can be easily removed from soil or water, leaving behind no trace of oil or sheen (PERF, 1994). Firmly solidi®ed oil has a rubberlike consistency that tends to retain its shape and does not pull apart easily. Unlike sorbents, the oil is retained in the solid mass allowing for easy physical pickup and removal that eliminates the ``dripping sponge'' eect, thus minimizing residue and further contamination by reintroduction and mixing. Solidi®er material is not likely to cause adverse health effects to birds if ingested. These polymer materials are also essentially nontoxic to brine shrimp and investigated ®sh (PERF, 1994). The objectives of this study were to: (1) test eectiveness of granular solidi®er in removing spilled South Louisiana Crude Oil from surface of water in wetlands and (2) develop improved oil spill remediation techniques for collecting and removing oil entering Louisiana Coastal Wetlands.
Materials and methods A ®eld study was conducted at the Pointe Au Chien State Wildlife Management Area located in Terrebonne Parish. The solidi®er on water test was conducted in a stream bordering a saltmarsh (salinity 8±12 ppt). Three 1.22 m ´ 1.22 m test plots were constructed and South Louisiana Crude Oil was applied at a rate of 2 liters per square meter. This represented 3 liters of oil per 1.5 m2 test area. Granular solidi®er, Nochar A 650, was used in the study. Nochar A 650, a commercial product, is a dry granular, non-toxic, non-hazardous solidifying agent formulated for water-borne spills of petroleum based products including oils, fuels and solvents (Nochar 10333 N. Meridian, Suite 215, Indianapolis, IN 46290). The solidi®er was premeasured into 0.45 kg 358
Fig. 1 Application of solidi®er to oiled plots.
bags and applied by hand to the oiled plots (Fig. 1). Three bags were used in the 1.2 ´ 1.2 m test area. (approx. 1 part solidi®er to 2 parts crude oil).
Results and discussions Four days following application of solidi®er to oiled test plots, solidi®ed oil was removed, dried and weighed. The solidi®ed oil which was easily removed by hand was very cohesive, ®rm and did not break apart (Fig. 2). Over 70% of the applied oil was recovered (Table 1). Use of Nochar would be best suited for open water spills. The removal of solidi®ed oil from marsh environments would likely result in damage to plants. In summary: · The solidi®er reacted with the South Louisiana Crude forming a cohesive solid mass with no dripping oil eect. · The solidi®ed oil had a rubber like consistence that retained its shape which could be removed by either hand or mechanical means.
Fig. 2 Removal of solidi®er oil from plots. Spill Science & Technology Bulletin 5(5/6)
EFFECTIVENESS OF ``NOCHAR'' SOLIDIFIER POLYMER Table 1 Percent recovery of oil 4 days after applicationa
Total oil + solidi®er recovered Percent recovery (%)
Plot #1 Rep I
Plot #2 Rep II
Plot #3 Rep III
Average
2765 g 70.1
2858 g 72.5
2989 g 75.8
2870.7 g 72.8
a
Note: Oil applied at 3 l/plot ( 2580 g/plot. Oil density 0.86 g/cm3 ); Solidi®er applied at 3 bags/plot (1 bag 454.6 g, 3 bags 1363 g); Total oil + solidi®er applied 3943 g/plot.
· Results demonstrated that granular solidi®er can effectively remove oil from open water following a spill in coastal wetlands. AcknowledgementsÐThis research was supported by Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund (Grant LEQSF (97-99)-RD-B-05) and Exxon Research and Engineering. The authors thank G.P. Canevari and W.A. Dahl for technical consultation. The use of trade names of commercial products in article does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
References Davis, D.W., Guidry, R.J., 1996. Oil spills and the state responsibilities. Basin Research Institute Bulletin 6, 60±68.
Spill Science & Technology Bulletin 5(5/6)
Mitsch, W.J., Gosselink, J.G., 1994. Wetlands. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. Walker, A.H., Kucklick, J.H., Michel, J., Schloz, D.K., Reilly, T., 1995. Chemical treating agents: Response niches and development needs. Proceeding 1995 Oil Spill Conference, Long Beach, CA, pp. 203±209. Nochar 10333 N. Meridian, Suite 215, Indianapolis, IN 46290. DOE/EIA, 1995. US crude oil, natural gas and gas liquids reserves. 1994 Annual Report, DOE/EIA-0216 (94), Energy Information Administration, Oce of Oil and Gas. United States Department of Energy, Washington, DC. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1996. Well Status Master, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources/Oce of Conservation/Production Audit Division, Baton Rouge, LA. PERF, 1994. Solidi®ers for oil spill response. Petroleum Environmental Research Forum, PERF Project 92-16.
359