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Martins LL, Pereira VB, Nascimento AP, Azevedo RNA, Oliveira AHB, Teixeira CEP, Azevedo DA, da Cruz GF, Cavalcante RM, Giarrizzo T. Forensic Geochemistry Reveals International Ship Dumping as a Source of New Oil Spill in Brazil's Coastline (Bahia) in Late 2023. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9328-9338. [PMID: 38739556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
In the present study, we applied forensic geochemistry to investigate the origin and fate of spilled oils like tarballs stranded at the beaches of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, in September 2023, based on their fingerprints. Saturated and aromatic compounds were assessed by gas chromatography, and the oceanic surface circulation patterns were deciphered to determine the geographic origin of the spill. Contamination by petroleum represents an enormous threat to the unique, species-rich ecosystems of the study area. The geochemical fingerprint of the oil spilled in 2023 did not correlate with those of previous events, including the one in 2019, the one in early 2022 in Ceará, and an extensive spill across the Brazilian Northeast in late 2022. However, the fingerprint did correlate with crude oils produced by Middle Eastern countries, most likely Kuwait. The oil of the 2023 spill had a carbonate marine origin from early mature source rocks. These findings, together with the moderate weathering of the 2023 tarballs and the ocean circulation patterns at the time of the event, indicate that the oil was discharged close to the shore of Brazil, to the east or southeast of Salvador, by a tanker on an international route in the South Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laercio L Martins
- Laboratory of Petroleum Engineering and Exploration (LENEP), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Macaé 27925-535, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60165-181, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Vinícius B Pereira
- Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Adriana P Nascimento
- Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60165-181, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Rufino Neto A Azevedo
- Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Department (DQAFQ), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60455-760, Ceará, Brazil
| | - André H B Oliveira
- Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60165-181, Ceará, Brazil
- Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Department (DQAFQ), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60455-760, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo P Teixeira
- Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60165-181, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Débora A Azevedo
- Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Georgiana F da Cruz
- Laboratory of Petroleum Engineering and Exploration (LENEP), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Macaé 27925-535, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60165-181, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR), Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60165-181, Ceará, Brazil
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2
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Elsheref M, Messina L, Tarr MA. Photochemistry of oil in marine systems: developments since the Deepwater Horizon spill. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1878-1908. [PMID: 37881013 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00248a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Oil spills represent a major source of negative environmental impacts in marine systems. Despite many decades of research on oil spill behavior, photochemistry was neglected as a major factor in the fate of oil spilled in marine systems. Subsequent to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, numerous studies using varied approaches have demonstrated the importance of photochemistry, including short-term impacts (hours to days) that were previously unrecognized. These studies have demonstrated the importance of photochemistry in the overall oil transformation after a spill and more specifically the impacts on emulsification, oxygenation, and microbial interactions. In addition to new perspectives, advances in analytical approaches have allowed an improved understanding of oil photochemistry after maritime spill. Although the literature on the Deepwater Horizon spill is extensive, this review focuses only on studies relevant to the advances in oil photochemistry understanding since the Deepwater Horizon spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elsheref
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA.
| | - Lena Messina
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA.
| | - Matthew A Tarr
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA.
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3
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Conde Molina D, Liporace F, Quevedo CV. Bioremediation of an industrial soil contaminated by hydrocarbons in microcosm system, involving bioprocesses utilizing co-products and agro-industrial wastes. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:323. [PMID: 37773232 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes practical implication of bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes for bioremediation of an industrial soil chronically contaminated by hydrocarbons. For this purpose, biomass production of six autochthonous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were evaluated as inoculum of bioaugmentation strategy, by testing carbon and nitrogen sources included co-products and agro-industrial waste as sustainable and low-cost components of the growth medium. Otherwise, biostimulation was approached by the addition of optimized concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus. Microcosm assays showed that total hydrocarbons (TH) were significantly removed from chronically contaminated soil undergoing bioremediation treatment. Systems Mix (bioaugmentation); N,P (biostimulation) and Mix + N,P (bioaugmentation and biostimulation) reached higher TH removal, being 89.85%, 91.00%, 93.04%, respectively, comparing to 77.83% of system C (natural attenuation) at 90 days. The increased heterotrophic aerobic bacteria and hydrocarbon degrading bacteria counts were according to TH biodegrading process during the experiments. Our results showed that biostimulation with nutrients represent a valuable alternative tool to treat a chronically hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial soil, while bioaugmentation with a consortium of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria would be justified when the soil has a low amount of endogenous degrading microorganisms. Furthermore, the production of inoculum for application in bioaugmentation using low-cost substrates, such as industrial waste, would lead to the development of an environmentally friendly and attractive process in terms of cost-benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Conde Molina
- Grupo de Biotecnología y Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad Regional Delta, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, San Martín 1171, Campana, 2804, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Franco Liporace
- Grupo de Biotecnología y Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad Regional Delta, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, San Martín 1171, Campana, 2804, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla V Quevedo
- Grupo de Biotecnología y Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad Regional Delta, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, San Martín 1171, Campana, 2804, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CABA (C1425FQB), 2290, Godoy Cruz, Argentina
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Zhu H, Fu Y, Yu J, Jing W, Zhou M. Metagenomic insight on consortium degradation of soil weathered petroleum and its supplement based on gene abundance change. Enzyme Microb Technol 2023; 169:110285. [PMID: 37413912 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2023.110285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum biodegradation is of importance for the mitigation of secondary pollutants from soil chemical remediation. Describing the gene abundance change of the petroleum degradation emerged as an important practice for success. In this study, an indigenous consortium with targeting-enzyme was utilized to develop a degradative system that was later subjected to metagenomic analysis on the soil microbial community. Centering on ko00625 pathway, abundance change of dehydrogenase gene was firstly found increasing from groups D, DS to DC in turn, just in an opposite direction with that of oxygenase. In addition, gene abundance of responsive mechanism went rising with degradative process as well. This finding sufficiently promoted that equal attention should be paid to both degradative and responsive processes. Hydrogen donor system was innovatively built on the consortium-used soil to satisfy the demand of dehydrogenase gene tendency and to sustain further petroleum degradation. Anaerobic pine-needle soil was supplemented to this system, bi-functionally serving as dehydrogenase substrate with nutrients and hydrogen donor. In doing so, two successive degradations optimally achieved the total removal rate 75.6-78.7% for petroleum hydrocarbon. The conception on the gene abundance changes and its corresponding supplement helps industries of concern to develop geno-tag guided framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongfei Zhu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Liaoning Technical University, No. 47 Zhonghua Road, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China.
| | - Yuting Fu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Liaoning Technical University, No. 47 Zhonghua Road, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China
| | - Jiashuai Yu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Liaoning Technical University, No. 47 Zhonghua Road, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China
| | - Wenjie Jing
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Liaoning Technical University, No. 47 Zhonghua Road, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China
| | - Mengting Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Liaoning Technical University, No. 47 Zhonghua Road, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China
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5
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Stoyanovich SS, Saunders LJ, Yang Z, Hanson ML, Hollebone BP, Orihel DM, Palace V, Rodriguez-Gil JL, Mirnaghi FS, Shah K, Blais JM. Chemical Weathering Patterns of Diluted Bitumen Spilled into Freshwater Limnocorrals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37267462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Due to the sudden nature of oil spills, few controlled studies have documented how oil weathers immediately following accidental release into a natural lake environment. Here, we evaluated the weathering patterns of Cold Lake Winter Blend, a diluted bitumen (dilbit) product, by performing a series of controlled spills into limnocorrals installed in a freshwater lake in Northern Ontario, Canada. Using a regression-based design, we added seven different dilbit volumes, ranging from 1.5 to 180 L, resulting in oil-to-water ratios between 1:71,000 (v/v) and 1:500 (v/v). We monitored changes in the composition of various petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), including n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and oil biomarkers in dilbit over time, as it naturally weathered for 70 days. Depletion rate constants (kD) of n-alkanes and PAHs ranged from 0.0009 to 0.41 d-1 and 0.0008 to 0.38 d-1, respectively. There was no significant relationship between kD and spill volume, suggesting that spill size did not influence the depletion of petroleum hydrocarbons from the slick. Diagnostic ratios calculated from concentrations of n-alkanes, isoprenoids, and PAHs indicated that evaporation and photooxidation were major processes contributing to dilbit weathering, whereas dissolution and biodegradation were less important. These results demonstrate the usefulness of large scale field studies carried out under realistic environmental conditions to elucidate the role of different weathering processes following a dilbit spill.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada
| | - Mark L Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada
| | - Diane M Orihel
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Vince Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development, Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0T4, Canada
| | - Jose L Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
- International Institute for Sustainable Development, Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0T4, Canada
| | - Fatemeh S Mirnaghi
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada
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6
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Yang Z, Shah K, Courtemanche C, Hollebone BP, Yang C, Beaulac V. The fate and behavior of petroleum biomarkers in diluted bitumen and conventional crude oil exposed to natural sunlight in simulated seawater. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 320:137906. [PMID: 36681197 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Given that the physicochemical properties of diluted bitumen (dilbit) can differ from those of conventional crude oil, understanding the fate and behavior of this petroleum product in the environment becomes vital. This study involves the analysis of the photolytic behavior of some representative petroleum biomarkers, bicyclic sesquiterpanes (BSs), admantanes (ADs), diamantanes (DAs), and mono- and triaromatic steranes (MASs and TASs), by exposing Cold Lake Blend (CLB) and Alberta Sweet Mixed Blend (MSW) to winter and summer insolation after being spilled onto artificial brines. Aromatic steranes in all control samples remained relatively stable, whereas the biomarkers of BSs, ADs, and DAs were less stable. Similar to the exhaustive loss of the C10-C17 alkanes, 91%-99% of BSs, ADs, and DAs were lost after five days of insolation, especially in summer. Both MASs and TASs were lost gradually in most scenarios, although both of them were lost faster in MSW than observed for CLB. The removal of MASs and TASs did not differ significantly from each other, although their loss was less than observed for PAHs having similar number of rings and greater than for the C21-C33n-alkanes. Therefore, photooxidation, not evaporation or biodegradation, was the main factor responsible for oxidizing these aromatic steranes. However, biomarkers of BSs, ADs and DAs were mostly lost through evaporation. Therefore, aromatic steranes have the potential to be utilized to evaluate the photolytic behavior of petroleum hydrocarbons, while BSs, ADs, and DAs should not be used for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Claire Courtemanche
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chun Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vanessa Beaulac
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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7
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Gallego JLR, Peña-Álvarez V, Lara LM, Baragaño D, Forján R, Colina A, Prosenkov A, Peláez AI. Effective bioremediation of soil from the Burgan oil field (Kuwait) using compost: A comprehensive hydrocarbon and DNA fingerprinting study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 247:114267. [PMID: 36368113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An innovative combination of metagenomic profiling of microbial communities and GC-MS & Pyrolysis-GC-MS fingerprinting methods were used to assess the biodegradation of contaminated soil from the Burgan oil field in Kuwait. The soil was treated with (sludge) compost in microcosms to evaluate the feasibility of this material for bioremediation purposes. The most favourable trial showed a > 80% decrease in TPH, thereby indicating strong potential for full-scale application using a cost-effective technology and thus in line with the principles of the circular economy. The microbial study showed that compost addition enhanced the organic matter and nutrient content of the soil. However, the microorganisms in the compost did not seem to play a relevant role in bioremediation, meaning that compost amendments serve as a biostimulation rather than a bioaugmentation approach. The chemical study of the distinct oil fractions revealed rapidly biodegraded compounds (alkanes, alkyl-aromatics, etc.) and others that were much more refractory (hopanes, benzohopanes, etc.). Of note, although heavy fractions are usually considered recalcitrant to biodegradation, we observed incipient degradation of the asphaltene fraction by means of double-shot thermodesorption and pyrolysis. Finally, chemical fingerprinting also revealed that the treated soil contained some of the compounds found in the compost, such as coprostanol, cholesterol, and plant sterols. This observation would support the use of these compounds as proxies to monitor the effects of compost and to adjust dosages in real-scale bioremediation treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis R Gallego
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain.
| | - Verónica Peña-Álvarez
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain; Area of Microbiology, Department of Functional Biology and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis M Lara
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
| | - Diego Baragaño
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain; Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rubén Forján
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
| | - Arturo Colina
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
| | - Alexander Prosenkov
- Area of Microbiology, Department of Functional Biology and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Peláez
- Area of Microbiology, Department of Functional Biology and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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8
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Bulbul M, Bhattacharya S, Ankit Y, Yadav P, Anoop A. Occurrence, distribution and sources of phthalates and petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical estuarine sediments (Mandovi and Ashtamudi) of western Peninsular India. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113679. [PMID: 35714689 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The present study provides baseline information on the concentration levels, distribution characteristics and pollution sources of environmental contaminants, such as phthalic acid esters (PAEs or phthalates) and petroleum hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the tropical estuaries (Mandovi and Ashtamudi) from western Peninsular India. Total PAEs (∑5PAEs), hopanes, steranes and diasteranes concentrations from Ashtamudi estuary ranged from 7.77 to 1478.2 ng/g, n.d.-363.2 ng/g, n.d.-121.5 ng/g and n.d.-116.6 ng/g, respectively. Likewise, PAEs (∑6PAEs), steranes and diasteranes concentrations from Mandovi estuary ranged from 60.1 to 271.9 ng/g, 2.33-40.1 ng/g and 2.28-23.0 ng/g, respectively. The PAEs comprising di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), an isomer peak for DBP, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isononyl phthalate were dominant in Ashtamudi estuary sediments, while PAEs including diethyl phthalate, DIBP, DBP and its isomer, DEHP, di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate were detected in the Mandovi sediment samples. The results of this study show an insignificant correlation of TOC with PAEs, and indicates that the varying spatial distributions of the PAEs in both the estuaries can be the result of discharge sources. The higher concentration of PAE congeners was noticed in Ashtamudi, a Ramsar wetland site, that can be attributed to land-based plastic waste. The petroleum biomarkers were abundantly present in Mandovi estuary due to anthropogenic activities such as boating and spillage from oil tankers. The findings of the present study will serve as a reference point for future investigation of organic contaminants in Indian estuaries, and calls for attention towards implementing effective measures in controlling the pervasion of the PAEs and petroleum biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehta Bulbul
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, 140306, India.
| | | | - Yadav Ankit
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, 140306, India
| | - Pushpit Yadav
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, 140306, India
| | - Ambili Anoop
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, 140306, India
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9
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Yin F, He Z, Song Z, Su P, Zhang L, Feng D, Yang T. The fingerprint stability of the biomarker hopanes and steranes in soot emissions from in-situ burning of oil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156273. [PMID: 35643145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The behavior of emissions is an important concern of in-situ burning (ISB) of spilled oils. In particular, the heavy soot originated from ISB can negatively impact the atmospheric environment. To track the behavior of ISB soot, the conservative biomarkers, such as hopanes and steranes, can be potentially used. In this study, the stability of chemical fingerprints of hopanes and steranes in the ISB soot were investigated based on the burning of two different types of oils, including one ultra-light condensate (i.e., surrogate Sanchi condensate) and one heavy oil. The results indicate that the chromatographic patterns and diagnostic ratios of hopanes and steranes in the ISB soot emissions almost remain identical to their corresponding source oils, proving the various oil source identification of ISB soot can be realized. This work attempts to provide novel insights into the application of biomarkers in the management of ISB emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yin
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China; International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Zhiwei He
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Zhibo Song
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Penghao Su
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China; International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Li Zhang
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Daolun Feng
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China; International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Tao Yang
- East China Sea Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Shanghai 201206, PR China.
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10
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Yang Z, Yang C, Zhang G, Shah K, Chen B, Hollebone BP, Jackman P, Beaulac V. Effects of asphaltenes on the photolytic and toxic behavior of bitumen and conventional oil products on saltwater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 436:129137. [PMID: 35594666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The effects of asphaltenes on the photolytic and toxic behavior of petroleum oil on seawater was investigated by exposing five original oils and their maltenes to solar irradiation for seven days. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) experienced the fastest photo-oxidation, but negligible photolytic loss was observed for most normal alkanes and all the petroleum biomarkers from tri-cyclic to pentyl-cyclic terpanes in the test total oil and maltenes. The removal of most PAHs from some maltenes was greater than the corresponding total oils. Deasphalting process did not affect the characteristics of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) in all control samples. In all test oils, solar irradiation formed abundant NAFCs, in particular those only containing oxygen as the heteroatoms (Oo species). The formed Oo species were abundant in congeners having highly saturated congeners, and shifted to a lighter carbon number after exposed. Deasphalting process significantly enhanced the formation of Oo species (o from 2 to 4) for all test oils, in particular for the Cold Lake Blend and Bunker C. The toxicity of exposed maltenes was generally higher than the exposed total oil for most oils, suggesting the aqueous toxicity level was positively related to the formed NAFC intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Chun Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gong Zhang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Chen
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Paula Jackman
- Atlantic Laboratory for Environmental Testing Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Moncton, NB, Canada
| | - Vanessa Beaulac
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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11
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Aeppli C, Mitchell DA, Keyes P, Beirne EC, McFarlin KM, Roman-Hubers AT, Rusyn I, Prince RC, Zhao L, Parkerton TF, Nedwed T. Oil Irradiation Experiments Document Changes in Oil Properties, Molecular Composition, and Dispersant Effectiveness Associated with Oil Photo-Oxidation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7789-7799. [PMID: 35605020 PMCID: PMC9552565 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
While chemical dispersants are a powerful tool for treating spilled oil, their effectiveness can be limited by oil weathering processes such as evaporation and emulsification. It has been suggested that oil photo-oxidation could exacerbate these challenges. To address the role of oil photo-oxidation in dispersant effectiveness, outdoor mesocosm experiments with crude oil on seawater were performed. Changes in bulk oil properties and molecular composition were quantified to characterize oil photo-oxidation over 11 days. To test relative dispersant effectiveness, oil residues were evaluated using the Baffled Flask Test. The results show that oil irradiation led to oxygen incorporation, formation of oxygenated hydrocarbons, and higher oil viscosities. Oil irradiation was associated with decreased dispersant efficacy, with effectiveness falling from 80 to <50% in the Baffled Flask Test after more than 3 days of irradiation. Increasing photo-oxidation-induced viscosity seems to drive the decreasing dispersant effectiveness. Comparing the Baffled Flask Test results with field data from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill showed that laboratory dispersant tests underestimate the dispersion of photo-oxidized oil in the field. Overall, the results suggest that prompt dispersant application (within 2-4 days), as recommended by current oil spill response guidelines, is necessary for effective dispersion of spilled oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Aeppli
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine 04544, United States
| | | | - Phoebe Keyes
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine 04544, United States
| | - Erin C Beirne
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine 04544, United States
| | - Kelly M McFarlin
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences Inc., Clinton, New Jersey 08809, United States
| | - Alina T Roman-Hubers
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Roger C Prince
- Stonybrook Apiary, Pittstown, New Jersey 08867, United States
| | - Lin Zhao
- ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Spring, Texas 77389, United States
| | | | - Tim Nedwed
- ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Spring, Texas 77389, United States
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12
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13
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Clement TP, John GF. A perspective on the state of Deepwater Horizon oil spill related tarball contamination and its impacts on Alabama beaches. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2022.100799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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14
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Ambaye TG, Chebbi A, Formicola F, Prasad S, Gomez FH, Franzetti A, Vaccari M. Remediation of soil polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons and its reuse for agriculture: Recent progress, challenges, and perspectives. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133572. [PMID: 35016966 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) are used as raw materials in many industries and primary energy sources. However, excessive PHs act as soil pollutants, posing serious threats to living organisms. Various ex-situ or in-situ chemical and biological methods are applied to restore polluted soil. However, most of the chemical treatment methods are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and sometimes inefficient. That attracts scientists and researchers to develop and select new strategists to remediate polluted soil through risk-based analysis and eco-friendly manner. This review discusses the sources of PHs, properties, distribution, transport, and fate in the environment, internal and external factors affecting the soil remediation and restoration process, and its effective re-utilization for agriculture. Bioremediation is an eco-friendly method for degrading PHs, specifically by using microorganisms. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are being used to monitor contaminated sites. Currently, these new technologies have caused a paradigm shift by giving new insights into the microbially mediated biodegradation processes by targeting rRNA are discussed concisely. The recent development of risk-based management for soil contamination and its challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. Furthermore, nanotechnology seems very promising for effective soil remediation, but its success depends on its cost-effectiveness. This review paper suggests using bio-electrochemical systems that utilize electro-chemically active microorganisms to remediate and restore polluted soil with PHs that would be eco-friendlier and help tailor-made effective and sustainable remediation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teklit Gebregiorgis Ambaye
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Alif Chebbi
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences -DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza, 1 - 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Formicola
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences -DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza, 1 - 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Shiv Prasad
- Division of Environment Science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Franco Hernan Gomez
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Franzetti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences -DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza, 1 - 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Mentore Vaccari
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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15
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Wise SA, Rodgers RP, Reddy CM, Nelson RK, Kujawinski EB, Wade TL, Campiglia AD, Liu Z. Advances in Chemical Analysis of Oil Spills Since the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2022; 53:1638-1697. [PMID: 35254870 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2022.2039093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Analytical techniques for chemical analysis of oil, oil photochemical and biological transformation products, and dispersants and their biodegradation products benefited significantly from research following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster. Crude oil and weathered-oil matrix reference materials were developed based on the Macondo well oil and characterized for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hopanes, and steranes for use to assure and improve the quality of analytical measurements in oil spill research. Advanced gas chromatography (GC) techniques such as comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GC × GC), pyrolysis GC with mass spectrometry (MS), and GC with tandem MS (GC-MS/MS) provide a greater understanding at the molecular level of composition and complexity of oil and weathering changes. The capabilities of high-resolution MS (HRMS) were utilized to extend the analytical characterization window beyond conventional GC-based methods to include polar and high molecular mass components (>400 Da) and to provide new opportunities for discovery, characterization, and investigation of photooxidation and biotransformation products. Novel separation approaches to reduce the complexity of the oil and weathered oil prior to high-resolution MS and advanced fluorescence spectrometry have increased the information available on spilled oil and transformation products. HRMS methods were developed to achieve the required precision and sensitivity for detection of dispersants and to provide molecular-level characterization of the complex surfactants. Overall, research funding following the DWH oil spill significantly advanced and expanded the use of analytical techniques for chemical analysis to support petroleum and dispersant characterization and investigations of fate and effects of not only the DWH oil spill but future spills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Wise
- Scientist Emeritus, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Ryan P Rodgers
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Christopher M Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Robert K Nelson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Kujawinski
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Terry L Wade
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Andres D Campiglia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Zhanfei Liu
- Marine Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, TX, USA
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Fernandes GM, Martins DA, Dos Santos RP, de Santiago IS, Nascimento LS, Oliveira AHB, Yamamoto FY, Cavalcante RM. Levels, source appointment, and ecological risk of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal ecosystems (northeast Brazil): Baseline for future monitoring programmes of an oil spill area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 296:118709. [PMID: 34942290 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We reviewed 20 years of levels, sources, and environmental risks related to the main petroleum hydrocarbons in the northeast region of Brazil. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to serve as a comprehensive baseline for future monitoring programmes related to the oil spill disaster in 2019/2020. Most contamination levels of both PAHs and AHs were classified as low, except those in specific areas influenced by human activities, such as ports, highly urbanised mangroves, or rivers of medium-sized cities with inadequate liquid and solid waste treatment. Most hydrocarbons were linked to natural sources and burning processes, except in regions of extraction activities and petrochemical facilities as well as highly urbanised areas, where degraded petroleum and oil hydrocarbons predominated. Only 2.5% of the samples exceeded threshold effect levels for ∑16-PAHs and no samples exceeded probable effect levels. When regional threshold levels were used, however, the probable effect for the ∑16-PAHs measured was high, ranging from 5.8 to 6.1%. The few studies reporting biological responses showed that hydrocarbons from anthropogenic sources can induce adverse effects on marine organisms even at low to moderate levels. As the region has recently received a considerable quantity of crude oil, studies should be prioritised for a more precise assessment of the impact of this oil spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle M Fernandes
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Davi A Martins
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Rafael P Dos Santos
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Ithala S de Santiago
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lorena S Nascimento
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - André H B Oliveira
- Environmental Studies Laboratory (LEA), Federal University of Ceará - Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Dpto, Campus do Pici s/n, Bloco 938/939, Brazil
| | - Flávia Y Yamamoto
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Vicente, Brazil
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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17
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Sánchez-García L, Carrizo D, Lezcano MÁ, Moreno-Paz M, Aeppli C, García-Villadangos M, Prieto-Ballesteros O, Demergasso C, Chong G, Parro V. Time-Integrative Multibiomarker Detection in Triassic-Jurassic Rocks from the Atacama Desert: Relevance to the Search for Basic Life Beyond Earth. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:1421-1437. [PMID: 34551267 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Detecting evidence of life on other planetary bodies requires a certain understanding of known biomarkers and their chemical nature, preservation potential, or biological specificity. In a planetary search for life, carbonates are of special interest due to their known association with life as we know it. On Earth, carbonates serve as an invaluable paleogeochemical archive of fossils of up to billions of years old. Here, we investigated biomarker profiles on three Chilean Triassic-Jurassic sedimentary records regarding our search for signs of past and present life over ∼200 Ma. A multianalytical platform that combines lipid-derived biomarkers, metaproteomics, and a life detector chip (LDChip) is considered in the detection of biomolecules with different perdurability and source-diagnosis potential. The combined identification of proteins with positive LDChip inmunodetections provides metabolic information and taxonomic affiliation of modern/subrecent biosignatures. Molecular and isotopic analysis of more perdurable hydrocarbon cores allows for the identification of general biosources and dominant autotrophic pathways over time, as well as recreation of prevailing redox conditions over ∼200 Ma. We demonstrate how extraterrestrial life detection can benefit from the use of different biomarkers to overcome diagnosis limitations due to a lack of specificity and/or alteration over time. Our findings have implications for future astrobiological missions to Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sánchez-García
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Carrizo
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Lezcano
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Moreno-Paz
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christoph Aeppli
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine, USA
| | | | | | - Cecilia Demergasso
- Department of Geological Sciences, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Guillermo Chong
- Department of Geological Sciences, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Victor Parro
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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18
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Arekhi M, Terry LG, John GF, Clement TP. Environmental fate of petroleum biomarkers in Deepwater Horizon oil spill residues over the past 10 years. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 791:148056. [PMID: 34119781 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The long-term fate of three groups of petroleum biomarker compounds (terpanes, steranes, and triaromatic steranes) was investigated in the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill residues collected from Alabama (USA) beaches over the past 10 years. This is the first study to investigate the long-term fate of these three groups of petroleum biomarkers in DWH oil spill samples over 10 years. We employed the highly recalcitrant C30 αβ-hopane as an internal biomarker to quantify the degradation levels of different biomarker compounds, and also to estimate the overall weathering levels of DWH oil spill residues. The data show that four lower molecular weight tricyclic terpanes (TR21, TR22, TR23, and TR24), three lower molecular weight steranes (S21, S22, and C27), and all triaromatic steranes degraded over the 10-year study period. All other terpanes (including hopanes) and steranes remained recalcitrant. There have been contradicting literature data on the degradation levels of homohopanes, and this field study demonstrates that all the homohopanes remained recalcitrant after 10 years of natural weathering. Our data also show that despite some degradation, the relative diagnostic ratios of the biomarkers remained stable for all three groups of biomarkers over the 10-year period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieh Arekhi
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Leigh G Terry
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Gerald F John
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - T Prabhakar Clement
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA..
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19
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Passow U, Overton EB. The Complexity of Spills: The Fate of the Deepwater Horizon Oil. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2021; 13:109-136. [PMID: 32956014 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-032320-095153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the largest, longest-lasting, and deepest oil accident to date in US waters. As oil and natural gas jetted from release points at 1,500-m depth in the northern Gulf of Mexico, entrainment of the surrounding ocean water into a buoyant plume, rich in soluble hydrocarbons and dispersed microdroplets of oil, created a deep (1,000-m) intrusion layer. Larger droplets of liquid oil rose to the surface, forming a slick of mostly insoluble, hydrocarbon-type compounds. A variety of physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms helped to transform, remove, and redisperse the oil and gas that was released. Biodegradation removed up to 60% of the oil in the intrusion layer but was less efficient in the surface slick, due to nutrient limitation. Photochemical processes altered up to 50% (by mass) of the floating oil. The surface oil expression changed daily due to wind and currents, whereas the intrusion layer flowed southwestward. A portion of the weathered surface oil stranded along shorelines. Oil from both surface and intrusion layers were deposited onto the seafloor via sinking marine oil snow. The biodegradation rates of stranded or sedimented oil were low, with resuspension and redistribution transiently increasing biodegradation. The subsequent research efforts increased our understanding of the fate of spilled oil immensely, with novel insights focusing on the importance of photooxidation, the microbial communities driving biodegradation, and the formation of marine oil snow that transports oil to the seafloor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Passow
- Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland A1C 5S7, Canada;
| | - Edward B Overton
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA;
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20
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Chua CC, Brunswick P, Kwok H, Yan J, Cuthbertson D, van Aggelen G, Helbing CC, Shang D. Enhanced analysis of weathered crude oils by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry diagnostic ratios, and multivariate statistics. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1634:461689. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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21
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Ali N, Bilal M, Khan A, Ali F, Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim M, Gao X, Zhang S, Hong K, M. N. Iqbal H. Engineered Hybrid Materials with Smart Surfaces for Effective Mitigation of Petroleum-originated Pollutants. ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2020.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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22
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The Interactive Effects of Crude Oil and Corexit 9500 on Their Biodegradation in Arctic Seawater. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.01194-20. [PMID: 32826215 PMCID: PMC7580538 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01194-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical dispersants such as Corexit 9500 are commonly used in oil spill response and are currently under consideration for use in the Arctic, where their fate and effects have not been well studied. This research was performed to determine the interactive effects of the copresence of crude oil and Corexit 9500 on the degradation of components from each mixture and the associated microbial community structure over time in Arctic seawater. These findings will help yield a better understanding of the biodegradability of dispersant components applied to an oil spill, the temporal microbial community response to dispersed oil, and the fundamental microbial ecology of organic contaminant biodegradation processes in the Arctic marine environment. The risk of petroleum spills coupled with the potential application of chemical dispersants as a spill response strategy necessitates further understanding of the fate of oil and dispersants and their interactive effects during biodegradation. Using Arctic seawater mesocosms amended with either crude oil, Corexit 9500, or both together, we quantified the chemical losses of crude oil and Corexit 9500 and identified microbial taxa implicated in their biodegradation based on shifts in the microbial community structure over a 30-day time course. Chemical analyses included total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), n-alkanes, branched alkanes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for oil loss and the surfactant components dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS), Span 80, Tween 80, Tween 85, and the DOSS metabolite ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate (EHSS) for Corexit loss. Changes to the microbial communities and identification of key taxa were determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The nonionic surfactants of Corexit 9500 (Span 80 and Tweens 80 and 85) biodegraded rapidly, dropping to below the limits of detection within 5 days and prior to any detectable initiation of oil biodegradation. This resulted in no observable suppression of petroleum biodegradation in the presence of Corexit compared to that of oil alone. In contrast, biodegradation of DOSS was delayed in the presence of oil, based on the prolonged presence of DOSS and accumulation of the degradation intermediate EHSS that did not occur in the absence of oil. Microbial analyses revealed that oil and Corexit enriched different overall microbial communities, with the presence of both resulting in a community composition that shifted from one more similar to that of Corexit only to one reflecting the oil-only community over time, in parallel with the degradation of predominantly Corexit and then oil components. Some microbial taxa (Oleispira, Pseudofulvibacter, and Roseobacter) responded to either oil or Corexit, suggesting that some organisms may be capable of utilizing both substrates. Together, these findings reveal interactive effects of crude oil and Corexit 9500 on chemical losses and microbial communities as they biodegrade, providing further insight into their fate when copresent in the environment. IMPORTANCE Chemical dispersants such as Corexit 9500 are commonly used in oil spill response and are currently under consideration for use in the Arctic, where their fate and effects have not been well studied. This research was performed to determine the interactive effects of the copresence of crude oil and Corexit 9500 on the degradation of components from each mixture and the associated microbial community structure over time in Arctic seawater. These findings will help yield a better understanding of the biodegradability of dispersant components applied to an oil spill, the temporal microbial community response to dispersed oil, and the fundamental microbial ecology of organic contaminant biodegradation processes in the Arctic marine environment.
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23
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Bryant WL, Camilli R, Fisher GB, Overton EB, Reddy CM, Reible D, Swarthout RF, Valentine DL. Harnessing a decade of data to inform future decisions: Insights into the ongoing hydrocarbon release at Taylor Energy's Mississippi Canyon Block 20 (MC20) site. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 155:111056. [PMID: 32469752 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The release of oil and gas at Mississippi Canyon Block 20 into the Gulf of Mexico has vexed response officials since 2004 when a regional seafloor failure toppled the Taylor Energy Company platform. Despite the completion of nine intervention wells, releases continue from the seafloor, mostly captured by a recently installed containment system. Toward informing resolution, this work applies chemical forensic and statistical analyses to surface sheens, sediments, and reservoir oil samples. Our results indicate sheens are chemically heterogeneous, contain remnant synthetic hydrocarbons likely discharged from well interventions prior to 2012, and require mixing of multiple chemically-distinct oil groups to explain observed variability in diagnostic ratios. Given the respite and opportunity afforded by containment we suggest leveraging ongoing collection activities to assess release dynamics, as well as engaging the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, to evaluate potential solutions, associated risks, and to consider policy ramifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wade L Bryant
- CK Associates, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, United States.
| | | | - G Burch Fisher
- Earth Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States
| | - Edward B Overton
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | | | - Danny Reible
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
| | - Robert F Swarthout
- Department of Chemistry, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, United States
| | - David L Valentine
- Department of Earth Science and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States
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24
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Cook LL, Drollette BD, Edwards MR, Benton LD, Boehm PD. A data-driven framework for defining stages of oil weathering. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 154:111091. [PMID: 32319920 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Oil weathering is often described subjectively after a spill. Adjectives like "moderate" and "severe" help define the extent of oil loss but fail to communicate quantitatively and reproducibly the degree of weathering. The use of subjective weathering terms often leads to misperceptions about persistence and toxicity of oil residues in the environment. The weathering of MC252 oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill started immediately after release during the 1500-m ascent to the sea surface and continued as it was transported on the surface and reached the shoreline. Weathering processes included evaporation, dissolution, photo-degradation, and biodegradation, among others. With extensive sample collection and detailed chemistry and source fingerprinting analyses, the Deepwater Horizon data provide a unique opportunity to evaluate weathering processes semi-quantitatively. An objective method of defining the degree of oil weathering is developed based on the detailed chemical results for over 700 MC252 oil samples from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda L Cook
- Exponent, Inc., Maynard, MA, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Paul D Boehm
- Exponent, Inc., Maynard, MA, United States of America
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25
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Yang Z, Shah K, Laforest S, Hollebone BP, Situ J, Crevier C, Lambert P, Brown CE, Yang C. Occurrence and weathering of petroleum hydrocarbons deposited on the shoreline of the North Saskatchewan River from the 2016 Husky oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113769. [PMID: 31855671 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Following the 16TAN Husky oil spill along the North Saskatchewan River (NSR), the occurrence and natural attenuation of the petroleum hydrocarbons were assessed by analyzing the littoral zone sediments/oil debris collected from July 2016 to October 2017. Husky oil-free, mixed sediment-Husky oil, and Husky oil debris samples were identified for all the collected samples. Shoreline sediments were contaminated by mixed biogenic, pyrogenic and petrogenic inputs prior to the spill. Oil stranded on the shoreline of NSR was moved or buried due to the very dynamic conditions of the shoreline, or cleaned through a series of cleanup activities after the spill. Most normal alkanes were naturally weathered, whereas most of the branched alkanes and all of the saturated petroleum biomarkers remained. Some lighter molecular weight (e.g., 2 to 3-ring) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were lost rapidly after the spill, whereas sulfur containing components, e.g., dibenzothiophenes and benzonaphthothiiophenes, and those having a heavier molecular weight did not change markedly even 15 months post-spill. Similarly, some light hydrocarbons (e.g., <C10) were lost over the first kilometers from the point of entry (POE), while heavier hydrocarbons did not show any major differences away from the POE. Very large inter-site and inter-survey discrepancies were found for samples. Evaporation into the air and dissolution into water, combined with biodegradation, were together or independently the main contributors to the loss of the light molecular hydrocarbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada.
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Sonia Laforest
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Jane Situ
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Charlotte Crevier
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Patrick Lambert
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Carl E Brown
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Chun Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
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Shi D, Bera G, Knap AH, Quigg A, Al Atwah I, Gold-Bouchot G, Wade TL. A mesocosm experiment to determine half-lives of individual hydrocarbons in simulated oil spill scenarios with and without the dispersant, Corexit. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 151:110804. [PMID: 32056599 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report results from a 15-day mesocosm experiment examining changes in estimated oil equivalents (EOEs), n-alkanes (n-C10 to n-C35), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum biomarkers. Water accommodated fractions (WAF) of oil and diluted chemically enhanced WAF (DCEWAF) were prepared and concentrations of oil residues determined on day 0, 3 and 15, respectively. Significant removals of n-alkane and PAHs were observed starting from day 3. The n-C17/pristane and n-C18/phytane ratios suggested that the n-alkane removal was due to biodegradation in the mesocosms. The ratios of C2-dibenzothiophenes/C2-phenanthrenes (D2/P2) and C3-dibenzothiophenes/C3-phenanthrenes (D3/P3) were found to be stable through the experiment. DCEWAF treatment had longer half-lives for most n-alkanes but shorter half-lives for most PAHs than the WAF treatment. Most petroleum biomarkers were stable throughout the experiment. However, depletion of TAS (tricyclic aromatic steroids) was observed on day 15 of DCEWAF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Shi
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America; Department of Marine Ecology Research, South China Sea Institute of Planning and Environmental Research, State Oceanic Administration, Guangzhou 510300, PR China
| | - Gopal Bera
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Anthony H Knap
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America; Department of Oceanography, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America.
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America; Department of Marine Biology, Texas A & M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Ibrahim Al Atwah
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Gerardo Gold-Bouchot
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Terry L Wade
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America; Department of Oceanography, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
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27
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Yang Z, Hollebone BP, Shah K, Yang C, Brown CE, Dodard S, Sarrazin M, Sunahara G. Biodegradation potential assessment by using autochthonous microorganisms from the sediments from Lac Mégantic (Quebec, Canada) contaminated with light residual oil. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 239:124796. [PMID: 31520972 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In July 2013, a fatal train derailment led to an explosion and fire in the town of Lac-Mégantic (LM), Quebec, and the crude oil contamination of regional surface water, soil, and sediment in the adjacent Lake Mégantic. This study investigated the degradation potential of the spilled crude oil by using the sediments from the incident site as the source of microorganisms. Two light crude oils (LM source oil and Alberta Sweet Mixed Blend (ASMB)) were tested at 22 °C for 4 weeks and 4 °C for 8 weeks, respectively. The post-incubation biological and chemical information of the samples were analysed. There was no marked difference in degradation efficacy and biological activities for both the LM and ASMB oils, although the biodegradation potential differed between the two incubations. Higher temperature favoured the growth of microorganisms, thus for the degradation of all petroleum hydrocarbons, except for some conservative biomarkers. The degradation of both oils followed the order of resolved components > total saturated hydrocarbons (TSH) > unresolved complex mixture (UCM) >total aromatic hydrocarbons (TAH). Normal alkanes were generally degraded more significantly than branched ones, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated congeners (APAHs) for both incubations generally decreased as the number of aromatic rings, and the degree of alkylation increased. This study showed that the LM sediments can biodegrade the petroleum hydrocarbons efficaciously if appropriate ambient temperatures are generated to favour the growth of autochthonous microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chun Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Carl E Brown
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sabine Dodard
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Manon Sarrazin
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Sunahara
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Decomposition of sediment-oil-agglomerates in a Gulf of Mexico sandy beach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10071. [PMID: 31296898 PMCID: PMC6624294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46301-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Sediment-oil-agglomerates (SOA) are one of the most common forms of contamination impacting shores after a major oil spill; and following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) accident, large numbers of SOAs were buried in the sandy beaches of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. SOAs provide a source of toxic oil compounds, and although SOAs can persist for many years, their long-term fate was unknown. Here we report the results of a 3-year in-situ experiment that quantified the degradation of standardized SOAs buried in the upper 50 cm of a North Florida sandy beach. Time series of hydrocarbon mass, carbon content, n-alkanes, PAHs, and fluorescence indicate that the decomposition of golf-ball-size DWH-SOAs embedded in beach sand takes at least 32 years, while SOA degradation without sediment contact would require more than 100 years. SOA alkane and PAH decay rates within the sediment were similar to those at the beach surface. The porous structure of the SOAs kept their cores oxygen-replete. The results reveal that SOAs buried deep in beach sands can be decomposed through relatively rapid aerobic microbial oil degradation in the tidally ventilated permeable beach sand, emphasizing the role of the sandy beach as an aerobic biocatalytical reactor at the land-ocean interface.
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Garcia MR, Cattani AP, da Cunha Lana P, Figueira RCL, Martins CC. Petroleum biomarkers as tracers of low-level chronic oil contamination of coastal environments: A systematic approach in a subtropical mangrove. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:1060-1070. [PMID: 31146312 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum biomarkers (hopanes, terpanes and steranes) are frequently assessed in estuarine sediments as tracers of oil input. In order to compare distinct patterns of hydrocarbon accumulation in mudflats, salt marsh and mangrove, sediments from two transects (control and impacted areas) were sampled in Paranaguá Bay, SW Atlantic. Concentrations of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum biomarkers (hopanes, terpanes and steranes) were determined, as well as bulk parameters (TOC, grain size and δ13C). N-alkanes concentrations were similar between control and impacted sites (respectively, 3.03 ± 1.20 μg g-1 and 4.11 ± 3.02 μg g-1) and reflected a high biogenic input. Conversely, PAHs and petroleum biomarker concentrations were three to six times higher in impacted site than the control site (respectively, 60.4 ± 23.3 ng g-1 and 22.0 ± 25.0 ng g-1 for PAHs and 197.7 ± 51.8 ng g-1 and 40.2 ± 32. ng g-1 for hopanes). Despite these differences, concentrations were lower than those reported for highly impacted areas worldwide. Diagnostic ratios and hydrocarbon parameters (e.g. total PAHs and total petroleum biomarkers) helped to distinguish human impact in the ecological zones, suggesting different sources and/or levels of weathering, confirmed by ANOVA tests. TOC played a fundamental role to the concentration of hydrocarbons, showing similar distributions along the transects. Petroleum biomarkers could clearly indicate the preferential sites of deposition and assign different levels of anthropic contamination by hydrocarbons, thus providing clear information about the chronic petroleum pollution in coastal sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Reback Garcia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sistemas Costeiros e Oceânicos (PGSISCO), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 61, 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil.
| | - André Pereira Cattani
- Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 61, 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Paulo da Cunha Lana
- Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 61, 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Rubens César Lopes Figueira
- Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - César C Martins
- Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 61, 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil.
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Wozniak AS, Prem PM, Obeid W, Waggoner DC, Quigg A, Xu C, Santschi PH, Schwehr KA, Hatcher PG. Rapid Degradation of Oil in Mesocosm Simulations of Marine Oil Snow Events. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:3441-3450. [PMID: 30827089 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, natural marine snow interacted with oil and dispersants forming marine oil snow (MOS) that sank from the water column to sediments. Mesocosm simulations demonstrate that Macondo surrogate oil incorporates into MOS and can be isolated, extracted, and analyzed via Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). Up to 47% of the FTICR-MS signal from MOS extracts can be attributed to formulas also found in Macondo surrogate oil demonstrating extensive oil incorporation. Additionally, oxygenation patterns for MOS extracts provide evidence for degraded oil compounds. Formulas having similar double bond equivalents but higher oxygen content (MOS CHO: CHO2-9, DBE2-16, MOS CHON: CHO0-7N1, DBE9-18; Macondo CHO: CHO1-4, DBE2-15, CHON: CHO0-3N1, DBE9-21) were found in MOS extracts generating isoabundance distributions similar to those of environmentally aged oil. Such shifts in molecular composition are consistent with the transformation of high DBE oil components, unobservable by FTICR-MS until oxygenation in the mesocosms. Low light conditions and the rapid proliferation of hydrocarbon-degraders observed in parallel studies suggest biological activity as the primary cause of oil degradation. MOS may thus represent an important microenvironment for oil degradation especially during its long transit below the euphotic zone to sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Wozniak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Old Dominion University , Norfolk , Virginia 23529 , United States
| | - Priscilla M Prem
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Old Dominion University , Norfolk , Virginia 23529 , United States
| | - Wassim Obeid
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Old Dominion University , Norfolk , Virginia 23529 , United States
| | - Derek C Waggoner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Old Dominion University , Norfolk , Virginia 23529 , United States
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Oceanography , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States
| | | | | | | | - Patrick G Hatcher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Old Dominion University , Norfolk , Virginia 23529 , United States
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31
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van Eenennaam JS, Rohal M, Montagna PA, Radović JR, Oldenburg TBP, Romero IC, Murk AJ, Foekema EM. Ecotoxicological benthic impacts of experimental oil-contaminated marine snow deposition. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 141:164-175. [PMID: 30955722 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Marine Oil Snow Sedimentation and Flocculent Accumulation (MOSSFA) can pose serious threats to the marine benthic ecosystem as it results in a deposition of oil contaminated marine snow on the sediment surface. In a microcosm experiment we investigated the effects of oil in combination with artificial marine snow or kaolin clay on two benthic invertebrate species and benthic meiofauna. The amphipod showed a dose-dependent decrease in survival for both oil-contaminated clay and oil-contaminated marine snow. The gastropod was only affected by the highest concentration of oil-contaminated marine snow and had internal concentrations of PAHs with a similar distribution as oil-contaminated marine snow. Benthic copepods showed higher survival in presence of marine snow. This study revealed that marine snow on the sediment after oil spills affects organisms in a trait-dependent way and that it can be a vector for introducing oil into the food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine S van Eenennaam
- Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa Rohal
- Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Unit 5869, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Paul A Montagna
- Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Unit 5869, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Jagoš R Radović
- PRG, Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, T2N 1N4 Calgary, Canada
| | - Thomas B P Oldenburg
- PRG, Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, T2N 1N4 Calgary, Canada
| | - Isabel C Romero
- University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Ave S., St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - AlberTinka J Murk
- Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin M Foekema
- Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands; Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands.
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Soliman YS, Alansari EMA, Sericano JL, Wade TL. Spatio-temporal distribution and sources identifications of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their alkyl homolog in surface sediments in the central Arabian Gulf. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 658:787-797. [PMID: 30583174 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The quantitative analysis of 18 parents and their alkyl homologs was performed in sediment samples from the central Arabian Gulf (Gulf) around Qatar Peninsula in six sequential seasons, winter 2014 to spring 2015, at 21 locations with a water depth range of 1.5-60 m. PAHs distribution was patchy with higher concentrations found inside semi-enclosed coastal areas like harbors and bays. The mean PAHs concentration was 112 ng·g-1 dry weight with a range of 0.6 to 1560 ng·g-1 and a variability coefficient of 2.4. The PAHs mean concentration was highest in the winter by a factor of 5 compared to mean summer concentration. A significant seasonal variability in the concentrations of ∑PAHs is mainly attributed to variability in the concentrations of the low molecular weight PAHs fraction and the less alkylated PAHs. Alkylated-PAHs were the most dominant PAHs comprising about 50% of the ∑PAHs, and with about 6 times higher than the mean concentrations in the winter compared to the mean summer concentration. The LPAHs concentrations correlated negatively with temperature and ∑PAHs correlated positively with % clay. Principal component analysis was used to identify sources of PAHs. PAHs in the Gulf have mixed sources with an estimated 57% from petroleum and 43% from pyrogenic sources. Coastal water hydrodynamics and lateral transport processes affect the distribution and composition of PAHs in the central Gulf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousria S Soliman
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Doha, Qatar University, Qatar.
| | | | - José L Sericano
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Terry L Wade
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
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Lemkau KL, Reddy CM, Carmichael CA, Aeppli C, Swarthout RF, White HK. Hurricane Isaac brings more than oil ashore: Characteristics of beach deposits following the Deepwater Horizon spill. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213464. [PMID: 30883566 PMCID: PMC6422254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to Hurricane Isaac making landfall along the Gulf of Mexico coast in August 2012, local and state officials were concerned that the hurricane would mobilize submerged oiled-materials from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill. In this study, we investigated materials washed ashore following the hurricane to determine if it affected the chemical composition or density of oil-containing sand patties regularly found on Gulf Coast beaches. While small changes in sand patty density were observed in samples collected before and after the hurricane, these variations appear to have been driven by differences in sampling location and not linked to the passing of Hurricane Isaac. Visual and chemical analysis of sand patties confirmed that the contents was consistent with oil from the Macondo well. Petroleum hydrocarbon signatures of samples collected before and after the hurricane showed no notable changes. In the days following Hurricane Isaac, dark-colored mats were also found on the beach in Fort Morgan, AL, and community reports speculated that these mats contained oil from the DWH spill. Chemical analysis of these mat samples identified n-alkanes but no other petroleum hydrocarbons. Bulk and δ13C organic carbon analyses indicated mat samples were comprised of marshland peat and not related to the DWH spill. This research indicates that Hurricane Isaac did not result in a notable change the composition of oil delivered to beaches at the investigated field sites. This study underscores the need for improved communications with interested stakeholders regarding how to differentiate oiled from non-oiled materials. This is especially important given the high cost of removing oiled debris and the increasing likelihood of false positives as oiled-materials washing ashore from a spill become less abundant over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin L. Lemkau
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher M. Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherine A. Carmichael
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christoph Aeppli
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine, United States of America
| | - Robert F. Swarthout
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science Program, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Helen K. White
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Santos FR, Martins DA, Morais PCV, Oliveira AHB, Gama AF, Nascimento RF, Choi-Lima KF, Moreira LB, Abessa DMS, Nelson RK, Reddy CM, Swarthout RF, Cavalcante RM. Influence of anthropogenic activities and risk assessment on protected mangrove forest using traditional and emerging molecular markers (Ceará coast, northeastern Brazil). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 656:877-888. [PMID: 30625674 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic molecular markers were used to assess chemicals inputs and ecological risks associated from multiple sources to sediments in one of the largest tropical mangrove forests of South America, with a particular focus on lesser studied compounds resulting from rural activities. Total concentrations ranged from 23.4 to 228.2 ng g-1 for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑PAHs), 750.4 to 5912.5 ng g-1 for aliphatic hydrocarbons (∑AHs), 32.4 to 696.6 ng g-1 for pesticides (∑pesticides), 23.1 to 2109.7 ng g-1 for coprostanol and sterols (∑sterols), 139.3 to 580.2 ng g-1 for naturals hormones (∑natural hormones) and 334.1 to 823.4 ng g-1 for synthetics hormones (∑synthetic hormones). The PAHs and AHs used as traditional anthropogenic markers showed a mixture between natural and anthropogenic sources, related mainly to inputs from higher plants, phytoplankton and both, biomass and petroleum combustion. Rural activities linked to agricultural pest control are the predominant source of pesticides, although minor inputs from pesticides used in urban public health campaigns and household activities were also detected. Synthetic hormones levels are two to three orders of magnitude greater than natural hormones levels and no correlations were observed between the main sewage markers and synthetic hormone concentrations, rural activities such as animal husbandry, which use drugs in management, may be the predominant anthropogenic sources of these compounds in the region. Traditional markers failed to detect ecological risks in rural areas, where synthetic substances (e.g. pesticides and hormones) are widely used and introduced in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe R Santos
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-120 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Davi A Martins
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Abolição, 3207, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Pollyana C V Morais
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Abolição, 3207, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - André H B Oliveira
- Departamento de Química Analítica e Físico-Química, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-760 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Allyne F Gama
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Abolição, 3207, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo F Nascimento
- Departamento de Química Analítica e Físico-Química, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-760 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Katherine F Choi-Lima
- Centro de Investigação em Ecotoxicologia Aquática e Poluição (NEPEA), São Paulo State University (UNESP Campus do Litoral Paulista), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n., CEP 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Buruaem Moreira
- Centro de Investigação em Ecotoxicologia Aquática e Poluição (NEPEA), São Paulo State University (UNESP Campus do Litoral Paulista), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n., CEP 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Denis M S Abessa
- Centro de Investigação em Ecotoxicologia Aquática e Poluição (NEPEA), São Paulo State University (UNESP Campus do Litoral Paulista), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n., CEP 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Robert K Nelson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole road, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Christopher M Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole road, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Robert F Swarthout
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole road, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Abolição, 3207, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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Shin B, Kim M, Zengler K, Chin KJ, Overholt WA, Gieg LM, Konstantinidis KT, Kostka JE. Anaerobic degradation of hexadecane and phenanthrene coupled to sulfate reduction by enriched consortia from northern Gulf of Mexico seafloor sediment. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1239. [PMID: 30718896 PMCID: PMC6361983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To advance understanding of the fate of hydrocarbons released from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and deposited in marine sediments, this study characterized the microbial populations capable of anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation coupled with sulfate reduction in non-seep sediments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Anaerobic, sediment-free enrichment cultures were obtained with either hexadecane or phenanthrene as sole carbon source and sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that enriched microbial populations differed by hydrocarbon substrate, with abundant SSU rRNA gene amplicon sequences from hexadecane cultures showing high sequence identity (up to 98%) to Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans (family Desulfobacteraceae), while phenanthrene-enriched populations were most closely related to Desulfatiglans spp. (up to 95% sequence identity; family Desulfarculaceae). Assuming complete oxidation to CO2, observed stoichiometric ratios closely resembled the theoretical ratios of 12.25:1 for hexadecane and 8.25:1 for phenanthrene degradation coupled to sulfate reduction. Phenanthrene carboxylic acid was detected in the phenanthrene-degrading enrichment cultures, providing evidence to indicate carboxylation as an activation mechanism for phenanthrene degradation. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) revealed that phenanthrene degradation is likely mediated by novel genera or families of sulfate-reducing bacteria along with their fermentative syntrophic partners, and candidate genes linked to the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons were detected for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boryoung Shin
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
| | - Minjae Kim
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
| | - Karsten Zengler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 92093, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, 92093, USA
| | - Kuk-Jeong Chin
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, 30302, USA
| | - Will A Overholt
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
| | - Lisa M Gieg
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Konstantinos T Konstantinidis
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
| | - Joel E Kostka
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA.
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Lima MFB, Fernandes GM, Oliveira AHB, Morais PCV, Marques EV, Santos FR, Nascimento RF, Swarthout RF, Nelson RK, Reddy CM, Cavalcante RM. Emerging and traditional organic markers: Baseline study showing the influence of untraditional anthropogenic activities on coastal zones with multiple activities (Ceará coast, Northeast Brazil). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 139:256-262. [PMID: 30686426 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Molecular markers are useful tools to characterize natural and anthropogenic impacts on coastal zones. Distribution of n-alkanes showed that the Pacoti River was predominantly influenced by terrigenous input. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) indices showed a mix of natural sources, especially pyrogenic influences. Sterol and hormone levels showed sewage discharge. Integrated geographic assessment showed that pyrogenic process and sewage discharge are predominant along the river because of natural and different anthropogenic activities. The upstream region is influenced by rural activities such as livestock and discharge from the sewage treatment plant, whereas the estuarine region is influenced by urban and industrial activities, predominantly the discharge of treated or untreated sewage, vehicle traffic, and manufacture of red ceramics. On the other hand, on the river mouth, there is the predominance of aquaculture activities. Traditional anthropogenic markers are not sufficient for producing a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic impacts in areas with multiple activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcielly F B Lima
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle M Fernandes
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Andre H B Oliveira
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, SN-PICI, 60000-000 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Pollyana C V Morais
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Elissandra V Marques
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Felipe R Santos
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo F Nascimento
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, SN-PICI, 60000-000 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Robert F Swarthout
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Robert K Nelson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Christopher M Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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Morrison AE, Dhoonmoon C, White HK. Chemical characterization of natural and anthropogenic-derived oil residues on Gulf of Mexico beaches. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 137:501-508. [PMID: 30503461 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Oil residues originating from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident persist on Gulf of Mexico beaches alongside oil from offshore industrial activity, natural seepage, and asphalt from parking lots and roads. To determine the primary differences in the chemical composition of these oil residues, a variety of samples were collected from beaches from Florida to Alabama over a two-year period from 2015 to 2017. Bulk chemical characteristics of the oil residues were examined via gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), as well as thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR). These bulk chemical analyses revealed features unique to the different sample types, expanding our understanding of the chemical composition and variability of persistent oil residues, and providing a means to detect and monitor their long-term fate in the coastal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Morrison
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Charvanaa Dhoonmoon
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Helen K White
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA.
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Bianchini K, Morrissey CA. Assessment of Shorebird Migratory Fueling Physiology and Departure Timing in Relation to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in the Gulf of Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13562-13573. [PMID: 30362719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Shorebirds depend on staging sites in the Gulf of Mexico that are frequently subject to pollution by oil and its toxic constituents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It was hypothesized that PAH contamination lowers staging site quality for migratory shorebirds, with consequences for fueling and departure timing. Sediment total PAH concentrations were measured at six staging sites along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Sites in Louisiana were expected to have higher total PAH concentrations as they were more heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. From 2015 to 2017, 165 Sanderling ( Calidris alba) and 55 Red knots ( C. canutus) were captured at these same sites during their northward migration (late April to mid May). Mass, body morphometrics, and plasma metabolite measurements were taken to determine fuel loads and fueling rates, and a subset of birds (120 Sanderling and 39 Red knots) received a coded radio tag to determine departure dates using the Motus telemetry array. Compared to Texas sites, sediment in Louisiana had higher total PAH concentrations, dominated by heavier 6 ring indeno[1,2,3- cd]pyrene (48%). Plasma metabolite profiles suggested that fueling rates for Sanderling, but not Red knots, tended to be lower in Louisiana, and both species departed later than the study average from Louisiana. However, multiple factors, including migration patterns, food supply, and other contaminants, also likely influenced fueling and departures. PAH contamination in the Gulf of Mexico remains an ongoing issue that may be impacting the staging site quality and migration timing of long-distance migratory birds.
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John GF, Han Y, Clement TP. Fate of hopane biomarkers during in-situ burning of crude oil - A laboratory-scale study. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 133:756-761. [PMID: 30041373 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In-situ burning (ISB) is a remediation strategy that is used for managing oil spills. ISB generates heavy residues that can submerge and negatively impact benthic environments. To track the fate of toxic contaminants in ISB residues, a conservative hopane biomarker, such as C30-αβ hopane, is often used. Furthermore, diagnostic ratios of various hopanes are used for source oil identification. Use of these biomarkers assume that during ISB the quantity of C30-αβ hopane will be conserved, and the diagnostic ratios of various hopanes will be stable. The objective of this study is to test the validity of these two assumptions. We conducted laboratory-scale ISB experiments using a model oil prepared from commercial C30-αβ hopane standard, and a reference crude oil. Laboratory data collected under controlled burning conditions show that C30-αβ hopane will not be conserved; however, the diagnostic ratios of hopanes will still remain fairly stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald F John
- Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | - Yuling Han
- Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - T Prabhakar Clement
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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40
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Gruber B, Weggler B, Jaramillo R, Murrell K, Piotrowski P, Dorman F. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography in forensic science: A critical review of recent trends. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Aeppli C, Swarthout RF, O'Neil GW, Katz SD, Nabi D, Ward CP, Nelson RK, Sharpless CM, Reddy CM. How Persistent and Bioavailable Are Oxygenated Deepwater Horizon Oil Transformation Products? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:7250-7258. [PMID: 29812924 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
About half of the surface oil floating on the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill was transformed into oxygenated hydrocarbons (OxHC) within days to weeks. These OxHC persist for years in oil/sand aggregates in nearshore and beach environments, and there is concern that these aggregates might represent a long-term source of toxic compounds. However, because this OxHC fraction is a continuum of transformation products that are not well chemically characterized, it is not included in current oil spill fate and effect models. This challenges an accurate environmental risk assessment of weathered oil. Here, we used molecular and bulk analytical techniques to constrain the chemical composition and environmental fate of weathered oil samples collected on the sea surface and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. We found that approximately 50% of the weathering-related disappearance of saturated and aromatic compounds in these samples was compensated by an increase in OxHC. Furthermore, we identified and quantified a suite of oxygenated aliphatic compounds that are more water-soluble and less hydrophobic than its presumed precursors, but only represent <1% of the oil residues' mass. Lastly, dissolution experiments showed that compounds in the OxHC fraction can leach into the water; however, the mass loss of this process is small. Overall, this study shows that the OxHC fraction is prevalent and persistent in weathered oil/sand aggregates, which can act as a long-term source of dissolved oil-derived compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Aeppli
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences , East Boothbay , Maine 04544 , United States
| | - Robert F Swarthout
- Department of Chemistry , Appalachian State University , Boone , North Carolina 28608 , United States
| | - Gregory W O'Neil
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , Woods Hole , Massachusetts 02543 , United States
- Department of Chemistry , Western Washington University , Bellingham , Washington 98225 , United States
| | - Samuel D Katz
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences , East Boothbay , Maine 04544 , United States
| | - Deedar Nabi
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences , East Boothbay , Maine 04544 , United States
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering , National University of Sciences and Technology , Islamabad 24090 , Pakistan
| | - Collin P Ward
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , Woods Hole , Massachusetts 02543 , United States
| | - Robert K Nelson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , Woods Hole , Massachusetts 02543 , United States
| | - Charles M Sharpless
- Department of Chemistry , University of Mary Washington , Fredericksburg , Virginia 22401 , United States
| | - Christopher M Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , Woods Hole , Massachusetts 02543 , United States
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Hydrocarbon degradation and response of seafloor sediment bacterial community in the northern Gulf of Mexico to light Louisiana sweet crude oil. ISME JOURNAL 2018; 12:2532-2543. [PMID: 29950702 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0190-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) blowout resulted in the deposition to the seafloor of up to 4.9% of 200 million gallons of oil released into the Gulf of Mexico. The petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations near the wellhead were high immediately after the spill, but returned to background levels a few years after the spill. Microbial communities in the seafloor are thought to be responsible for the degradation of hydrocarbons, however, our knowledge is primarily based upon gene diversity surveys and hydrocarbon concentration in field sediment samples. Here, we investigated the oil degradation potential and changes in bacterial community by amending seafloor sediment collected near the DWH site with crude oil and both oil and Corexit dispersant. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were rapidly degraded during the first 30 days of incubation, while alkanes were degraded more slowly. With the degradation of hydrocarbons, the relative abundances of Colwelliaceae, Alteromonadaceae, Methylococales, Alcanivorax, Bacteriovorax, and Phaeobacter increased remarkably. However, the abundances of oil-degrading bacteria changed with oil chemistry. Colwelliaceae decreased with increasing oil degradation, whereas Alcanivorax and Methylococcales increased considerably. We assembled seven genomes from the metagenome, including ones belonging to Colwellia, Alteromonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, the newly reported genus Woeseia, and candidate phylum NC10, all of which possess a repertoire of genes for hydrocarbon degradation. Moreover, genes related to hydrocarbon degradation were highly enriched in the oiled treatment, suggesting that the hydrocarbons were biodegraded, and that the indigenous microflora have a remarkable potential for the natural attenuation of spilled oil in the deep-sea surface sediment.
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Song X, Zhang B, Chen B, Lye L, Li X. Aliphatic and aromatic biomarkers for fingerprinting of weathered chemically dispersed oil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:15702-15714. [PMID: 29574646 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the applicability of eight types of biomarkers namely, adamantanes, diamantanes, sesquiterpanes, steranes, terpanes, TA-steranes, MA-steranes, and alkylated PAHs, to characterize chemically dispersed oil (CDO) after the 60-day weathering. The stability of diagnostic ratios of the selected biomarkers was evaluated and summarized. The results indicated that the concentrations of biomarkers with low molecular weight, such as adamantanes, diamantanes, and sesquiterpanes, in CDO were markedly affected by weathering and the associated diagnostic ratios were changed extensively. Most of the alkylated PAHs were degraded during weathering as well. These biomarkers thus were not recommended for characterizing CDO. The majority of the terpanes, steranes, TA-steranes, and MA-steranes could be used for weathered CDO fingerprinting due to the relatively stable diagnostic ratios. The findings could help to identify applicable biomarkers for fingerprinting of weathered dispersed oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Song
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Baiyu Zhang
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada.
| | - Bing Chen
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Leonard Lye
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Xixi Li
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
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Stout SA, German CR. Characterization and flux of marine oil snow settling toward the seafloor in the northern Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon incident: Evidence for input from surface oil and impact on shallow shelf sediments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 129:695-713. [PMID: 29108738 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Sediment trap samples from the shelf edge area (400-450m water depth), 58km northeast of the failed Macondo well, were collected before, during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Detailed chemical analyses of particulates revealed that fluxes of spill-derived TPH (2356μg/m2/day), total PAH (5.4μg/m2/day), and hopane (0.89μg/m2/day) settling to the seafloor directly beneath the surface-plume were 19- to 44-times higher during the active spill than pre- and post-spill background values. The oil was variably biodegraded, evaporated and photo-oxidized indicating that it derived from the sinking of surface oil. The hopane-based oil flux that we calculate (10bbl/km2) indicates that at least 76,000bbl of Macondo oil that reached the ocean surface subsequently sank over an area of approximately 7600km2. We explore how this flux of sunken surface oil contributed to the total volume of oil deposited on the seafloor following the Deepwater Horizon incident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Stout
- NewFields Environmental Forensics Practice, LLC, Rockland, MA, United States.
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Payne JR, Driskell WB. Macondo oil in northern Gulf of Mexico waters - Part 1: Assessments and forensic methods for Deepwater Horizon offshore water samples. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 129:399-411. [PMID: 29680565 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Forensic chemistry assessments documented the presence of Macondo (MC252) oil from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill in offshore water samples collected under Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) protocols. In ocean depths, oiled water was sampled, observed, photographed, and tracked in dissolved oxygen (DO) and fluorometry profiles. Chemical analyses, sensor records, and observations confirmed the shifting, rising oil plume above the wellhead while smaller, less buoyant droplets were entrapped in a layer at ~1000-1400 m and advected up to 412 km southwest. Near-surface oil samples showed substantial dissolution weathering from oil droplets rising through the water column, as well as enhanced evaporative losses of lighter n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Dispersant effects from surface applications and injected at the wellhead were seen in oil profiles as enhanced weathering patterns (increased dissolution), thus implying dispersants were a functionally effective mediation treatment. Forensic assessment methods are detailed in the Supplemental information (SI).
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Payne
- Payne Environmental Consultants, Inc., 1651 Linda Sue Lane, Encinitas, CA 92024, United States.
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Nowak JA, Shrestha PM, Weber RJ, McKenna AM, Chen H, Coates JD, Goldstein AH. Comprehensive Analysis of Changes in Crude Oil Chemical Composition during Biosouring and Treatments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:1290-1300. [PMID: 29320174 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biosouring in crude oil reservoirs by sulfate-reducing microbial communities (SRCs) results in hydrogen sulfide production, precipitation of metal sulfide complexes, increased industrial costs of petroleum production, and exposure issues for personnel. Potential treatment strategies include nitrate or perchlorate injections into reservoirs. Gas chromatography with vacuum ultraviolet ionization and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-VUV-HTOF) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) combined with electrospray ionization were applied in this study to identify hydrocarbon degradation patterns and product formations in crude oil samples from biosoured, nitrate-treated, and perchlorate-treated bioreactor column experiments. Crude oil hydrocarbons were selectively transformed based on molecular weight and compound class in the biosouring control environment. Both the nitrate and the perchlorate treatments significantly reduced sulfide production; however, the nitrate treatment enhanced crude oil biotransformation, while the perchlorate treatment inhibited crude oil biotransformation. Nitrogen- and oxygen-containing biodegradation products, particularly with chemical formulas consistent with monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids containing 10-60 carbon atoms, were observed in the oil samples from both the souring control and the nitrate-treated columns but were not observed in the oil samples from the perchlorate-treated column. These results demonstrate that hydrocarbon degradation and product formation of crude oil can span hydrocarbon isomers and molecular weights up to C60 and double-bond equivalent classes ranging from straight-chain alkanes to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our results also strongly suggest that perchlorate injections may provide a preferred strategy to treat biosouring through inhibition of biotransformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amy M McKenna
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University , 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310-4005, United States
| | - Huan Chen
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University , 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310-4005, United States
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Han Y, Clement TP. Development of a field testing protocol for identifying Deepwater Horizon oil spill residues trapped near Gulf of Mexico beaches. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190508. [PMID: 29329313 PMCID: PMC5766100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) accident, one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history, contaminated several beaches located along the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) shoreline. The residues from the spill still continue to be deposited on some of these beaches. Methods to track and monitor the fate of these residues require approaches that can differentiate the DWH residues from other types of petroleum residues. This is because, historically, the crude oil released from sources such as natural seeps and anthropogenic discharges have also deposited other types of petroleum residues on GOM beaches. Therefore, identifying the origin of these residues is critical for developing effective management strategies for monitoring the long-term environmental impacts of the DWH oil spill. Advanced fingerprinting methods that are currently used for identifying the source of oil spill residues require detailed laboratory studies, which can be cost-prohibitive. Also, most agencies typically use untrained workers or volunteers to conduct shoreline monitoring surveys and these worker will not have access to advanced laboratory facilities. Furthermore, it is impractical to routinely fingerprint large volumes of samples that are collected after a major oil spill event, such as the DWH spill. In this study, we propose a simple field testing protocol that can identify DWH oil spill residues based on their unique physical characteristics. The robustness of the method is demonstrated by testing a variety of oil spill samples, and the results are verified by characterizing the samples using advanced chemical fingerprinting methods. The verification data show that the method yields results that are consistent with the results derived from advanced fingerprinting methods. The proposed protocol is a reliable, cost-effective, practical field approach for differentiating DWH residues from other types of petroleum residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Han
- Environmental Engineering Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, United States of America
| | - T. Prabhakar Clement
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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48
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Bostic JT, Aeppli C, Swarthout RF, Reddy CM, Ziolkowski LA. Ongoing biodegradation of Deepwater Horizon oil in beach sands: Insights from tracing petroleum carbon into microbial biomass. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 126:130-136. [PMID: 29421079 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Heavily weathered petroleum residues from the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) disaster continue to be found on beaches along the Gulf of Mexico as oiled-sand patties. Here, we demonstrate the ongoing biodegradation of weathered Macondo Well (MW) oil residues by tracing oil-derived carbon into active microbial biomass using natural abundance radiocarbon (14C). Oiled-sand patties and non-oiled sand were collected from previously studied beaches in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses illustrated that microbial communities present in oiled-sand patties were distinct from non-oiled sand. Depleted 14C measurements of PLFA revealed that microbes on oiled-sand patties were assimilating MW oil residues five years post-spill. In contrast, microbes in non-oiled sand assimilated recently photosynthesized carbon. These results demonstrate ongoing biodegradation of weathered oil in sand patties and the utility of 14C PLFA analysis to track the biodegradation of MW oil residues long after other indicators of biodegradation are no longer detectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Bostic
- School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Christoph Aeppli
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME 04544, United States
| | - Robert F Swarthout
- Department of Chemistry, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, United States
| | - Christopher M Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States
| | - Lori A Ziolkowski
- School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States.
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Rosell-Melé A, Moraleda-Cibrián N, Cartró-Sabaté M, Colomer-Ventura F, Mayor P, Orta-Martínez M. Oil pollution in soils and sediments from the Northern Peruvian Amazon. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 610-611:1010-1019. [PMID: 28847095 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Oil has been extracted from the Northern Peruvian Amazon for over four decades. However, few scientific studies have assessed the impacts of such activities in the environment and health of indigenous communities in the region. We have investigated the occurrence of petrogenic hydrocarbon pollution in soils and sediments from areas favoured as hunting or fishing grounds by local indigenous inhabitants. The study was conducted in one of the most productive oil blocks in Peru, located in the headwaters of the Amazon river. Soils and river sediments, in the vicinity of oil extraction and processing infrastructure, contained an oil pollution signature as attested by the occurrence of hopanes and steranes. Given the lack of any other significant source of oil pollution in the region, the sources of hydrocarbons are likely to be the activities of the oil industry in the oil block, from voluntary discharges or accidental spills. Spillage of produced water was commonplace until 2009. Moreover, petrogenic compounds were absent in control samples in sites far removed from any oil infrastructure in the oil block. Our findings suggest that wildlife and indigenous populations in this region of the Amazon are exposed to the ingestion of oil polluted soils and sediments. The data obtained supports previous claims that the local spillage of oil and produced waters in the water courses in the Corrientes and Pastaza basins could have eventually reached the main water course of the Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Rosell-Melé
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; ICREA, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Núria Moraleda-Cibrián
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mar Cartró-Sabaté
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ferran Colomer-Ventura
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Pedro Mayor
- Dept. Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; FUNDAMAZONIA, Iquitos, Loreto, Peru; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém, CEP 66077-901, Brazil
| | - Martí Orta-Martínez
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, The Netherlands; Instituto de Geografía, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.
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50
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van Eenennaam JS, Rahsepar S, Radović JR, Oldenburg TBP, Wonink J, Langenhoff AAM, Murk AJ, Foekema EM. Marine snow increases the adverse effects of oil on benthic invertebrates. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 126:339-348. [PMID: 29421110 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a MOSSFA (Marine Oil Snow Sedimentation and Flocculent Accumulation) event took place, transporting an estimated 14% of total released oil to the sediment, and smothering parts of the benthic ecosystem. This microcosm study describes the effects of oiled artificial marine snow on benthic macroinvertebrates. Corophium volutator survival was reduced by 80% in oil-contaminated snow. Hydrobia ulvae survival was reduced by 40% in oil-contaminated snow, possibly due to consumption of oiled snow. Macoma balthica was sensitive to marine snow, addition of oil slightly decreased survival. This study reveals trait-dependent sensitivity to oil with or without marine snow. The main drivers for organismal response to marine snow and oil are motility, sensitivity to hypoxia and oil toxicity, and feeding habits. Adverse effects of MOSSFA events on benthos will have consequence for the benthic-pelagic habitat and food chain, and should receive more attention in oil spill management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine S van Eenennaam
- Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Shokouh Rahsepar
- Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jagoš R Radović
- PRG, Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, T2N 1N4 Calgary, Canada
| | - Thomas B P Oldenburg
- PRG, Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, T2N 1N4 Calgary, Canada
| | - Jessica Wonink
- Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alette A M Langenhoff
- Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albertinka J Murk
- Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin M Foekema
- Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands; Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands
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