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Remember that oil does not dissolve in water, but does like to stick to other oils.

Many marine organisms such as birds and otters have natural oils on their feathers/fur.

Crude oil will dissolve in this natural oil, coating the organism. CLICK THIS FOR VIDEO

Oil can also get in the organisms eyes, lungs, and stomach.

Ingestion or inhalation of oil can have profound effects on both human and marine life.

Remember that oil does not dissolve in water, but does like to stick to other oils.

Many marine organisms such as birds and otters have natural oils on their feathers/fur.

Crude oil will dissolve in this natural oil, coating the organism.

Crude oil is composed of multiple types of hyrocarbons.

These hydrocarbons vary in size and state of matter. Some may be liquid others gaseous.

These molecules can be very toxic to cells. (2)

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Benzene (and other components of oil) are non-polar. They easily dissolve in the phospholipids of cell

membranes. These molecules can dissolve membranes,

destroying cells. (2)

Benzene is fairly stable and therefore persistent in the environment. (5)

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Upon inhalation, it can induce:Upon inhalation, it can induce: Neurological effects (ie. loss of Neurological effects (ie. loss of

consciousness and convulsions)consciousness and convulsions) Dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting. Dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting. Skin, eye and lung irritation (even Skin, eye and lung irritation (even

blisters).blisters). Immunologic complications. (6)Immunologic complications. (6)

Benzene can also depress bone Benzene can also depress bone marrow functioning in humans.marrow functioning in humans. This leads to reduces blood cell counts.This leads to reduces blood cell counts. It may be linked to forms of leukemia. (7)It may be linked to forms of leukemia. (7)

Because of its toxicity, oil can effect Because of its toxicity, oil can effect all marine life at every level of the all marine life at every level of the food chain.food chain.

Small single celled organisms like Small single celled organisms like phytoplankton may become toxic due phytoplankton may become toxic due to exposure. to exposure.

These or the oil itself may be eaten by These or the oil itself may be eaten by other organisms (ie. fish). other organisms (ie. fish).

The toxic components of oil can then The toxic components of oil can then biomagnify as they move up the food biomagnify as they move up the food chain.chain.

Not only are organisms exposed to the oil Not only are organisms exposed to the oil itself, they are consuming the toxins!itself, they are consuming the toxins!

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How does it get there?How does it get there?

Why is it so bad?Why is it so bad? Remember that oil is persistent and Remember that oil is persistent and

the components vary in size.the components vary in size. This is what makes it so difficult to This is what makes it so difficult to

contain and clean.contain and clean. Ocean currents, type of shoreline, Ocean currents, type of shoreline,

weather conditions, depth of spill weather conditions, depth of spill and type of oil all have an effect on and type of oil all have an effect on how bad it will be.how bad it will be.

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Feb 2001 – Deepwater Horizon arrives in the Gulf of Mexico.

April 20, 2010 – an explosion and resulting fire kills 11 people and injures 17.

April 22, 2010 – the rig sinks and first signs of an oil slick begin to appear.

April 25, 2010 – underwater sensing equipment suggest that 1,000 barrels per day are leaking into the Gulf of Mexico. This estimate increased to 5,000 bpd by the 28th. (10) 9

Response Initial response was to put out fires and

find missing workers. Secondary response was to stop oil from

a bent and leaking valve 5,000 feet deep. Tried plugging with mud Tried putting a cement hat on the well. Tried robots with diamond-blade

saws to cut the bent valve and recap. Tried a relief well.

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Finally, on July 15, 2010, the well was capped.Finally, on July 15, 2010, the well was capped.

Relief wells were finished to reduce pressure.Relief wells were finished to reduce pressure.

Total spill - 4.9 million barrels (11)Total spill - 4.9 million barrels (11)

1 barrel = 42 gallons1 barrel = 42 gallons

4.9 million barrels = 2.06 billion gallons4.9 million barrels = 2.06 billion gallons

Put into perspectivePut into perspective

1 Olympic swimming pool = 660,430 gallons1 Olympic swimming pool = 660,430 gallons

Deepwater Horizon spill = 3,116 Olympic Deepwater Horizon spill = 3,116 Olympic poolspools

Now that the oil is spilled. How do we Now that the oil is spilled. How do we clean it?clean it?

DispersantsDispersants SorbentsSorbents BoomsBooms SkimmersSkimmers PumpsPumps Tow outside en

vironment

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Working in pairs, you will each Working in pairs, you will each research and present a different research and present a different cleanup technique. cleanup technique.

You will have about 20-30 minutes to You will have about 20-30 minutes to prepare your presentation. prepare your presentation.

We will present tomorrow.We will present tomorrow.

1. Image: Encyclopedia of the Earth. Accessed on 12/11/2010 from http://www.eoearth.org/files/133001_133100/133047/otteroilclean.jpg

2. Reinhardt, D. Crude Environmental Oil – Potential Hazard to Life and Living Organisms. (2010). The Science Super School Online. Accessed on 12/2/2010 from http://reinhardtmicrobiology.com/crude-oil-spills-mdash-biological-medical-chemical-dangers.html

3. Image: Fourwinds10.com. Accessed on 12/11/2010 from http://www.cassiopaea.org/images/benzene.gif

4. Image: Wikipedia. Accessed on 12/11/2010 from http://en.wikivisual.com/images/e/ee/CellMembraneDrawing.jpg

5. Committee on Oil in the Sea: Inputs, Fates, and Effects, National Research Council. Oil in the Sea III: Inputs, Fates, and Effects. (2003). The National Acadamies Press. ISBN-10: 0-309-08438-5. Accessed on 12/2/2010 from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10388&page=20

6. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Benzene - Draft. (1997). U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.

7. Snyder, R and CC Hedli. An Overview of Benzene Metabolism. Environmental Health Perspectives. (1996) Vol 104, Supplement 6. Accessed on 12/2/2010 from http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/realfiles/docs/1996/Suppl-6/snyder.html#summary

8. Image: Government of Alberta Water Quality Information. Accessed on 12/12/2010 from http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/wat3351

9. Image: Wikipedia Deepwater Horizon. Accessed on 12/12/2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon

10. Deepwater Horizon: A timeline of Events. Offshore-Technology.com. (2010). Accessed on 12/11/2010 from http://www.offshore-technology.com/features/feature84446/

11. Cleveland, C. Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Encyclopedia of the Earth. (5 Dec 2010). Accessed on 12/2/2010 from http://www.eoearth.org/article/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill?topic=50364