The above link is to the council’s dispersants research database. The council has sponsored what we believe is one of the most complete compilations of articles written on dispersant research. Available in Excel and Google Doc format.
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The above link is to the council’s dispersants research database. The council has sponsored what we believe is one of the most complete compilations of articles written on dispersant research. Available in Excel and Google Doc format. Council work on chemical oil-spill dispersants Dispersants are chemical substances applied to spilled oil that disperse oil into the water column rather than leaving it floating on the surface in a slick. This is similar to the effect of the use of soap on greasy dishes. Dispersant use is based on the concept of them dissolving the oil into droplets that will then dilute and spread out the oil and over a long time period allow microbial degradation to break down the hydrocarbons in the droplets. Dispersants have been used extensively in the response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Our council has studied dispersants in great detail, including commissioning extensive research.
The report linked above is a review of the literature on oil spill dispersants published from 1997 to August, 2008. The report identifies and focuses on recent advances in dispersant effectiveness, toxicity, and biodegradation. Other topics such as application, use, behavior and fate are also covered. Information on Corexit 9500 and 9527 (the most prevalent dispersants used so far in the Gulf spill) Excerpt from the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan’s (NCP) Product Schedule Notebook discussing handling and special handling and worker precautions, toxicity, effectiveness, chemical and microbiological analysis, and physical properties: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for dispersants used in Gulf of Mexico: International Maritime Organization’s guidelines The above link is to the International Maritime Organization’s guidelines on responding to oil spills, including guidelines on the use of dispersants. Oil Spill Dispersant Effects Research Report by the National Academy of Sciences on the efficacy and effects of oil spill dispersants. Key findings are summarized. The State of Alaska’s regulatory role in oil spill prevention and response
After the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the state of Alaska passed laws that required stringent new prevention and response measures, often stronger than federal requirements. These new laws were instrumental in formation of the fishing vessel program for oil-spill response and geographic response strategies, among other things. Water Quality Sampling Methods and Procedures The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s website includes a water quality sampling methods and procedures manual that explains how to do water quality sampling and assessment of potential contamination of commercial fishery resources and gear during an oil spill. The “Buster” oil-skimming systems One of the main components of Alyeska’s fishing vessel response system is the “Buster” skimming system series. It operates at much higher skimming speeds than traditional boom systems. Training Program for fishing vessel responders This is an approved and exportable “training program in a suitcase” for crews of fishing vessels participating in Alyeska Pipeline’s Fishing Vessel Program for responding to oil spills in Prince William Sound. The course provides training on the fate of oil, general safety and health, boating safety, incident command system, and oil spill response strategies. |
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