Thesis (M.Eng.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1998. / Bibliography: leaves 86-97.

M.Tech. (Operations Management) / The field of study is of a multi-disciplinary nature relating to chemistry, microbiology, electrical engineering, soil technology and legislation dealing with different aspects of soil, water and environmental contamination in South Africa The relevant basic principles involved as applicable to the problem being researched are discussed in the dissertation. The reader is introduced to the statement ofthe problem in Chapter 1. A study was carried out of research projects which were conducted elsewhere in the world with regard to oil pollution and the remediation procedures followed. This research project has focused on a problem which revolved around the pollution of soil from insulating oil spillages. Insulating oil is used in electrical equipment, such as transformers, tap changers and other items in the distribution of electricity throughout South Africa. Insulating oils perform three functions namely, a cooling function, acts as an insulator and as an indicator ofthe condition ofa transformer. The aim ofthe research was to develop methods and techniques, under the South African climatic conditions, to clean insulating oil polluted soil cost effectively. Oil in its various forms and derivatives is part of our modem society. Scientists are continuously designing new applications for various types of lubricants without the knowledge of the impact the product might have on the environment. When a pollution problem becomes intolerable, then a solution is investigated. Then man, with its superior brain power, goes to the simplest life on earth to solve his pollution problem. Various products and applications were investigated theoretically and also in practice. Case studies were investigated to determine the success rate of different products and applications. Laboratory tests were carried out to determine the true results of some of the products. The laboratory results were tested in practice on two test sites to confirm the results. The consequence of the research project has indicated that excellent results have been achieved. The results have indicated that insulating oil polluted soil can be cleaned in a...

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Since the Exxon Valdez accident in 1987, renewed interest has come forth to better understand and predict the fate and transport of crude oil lost to marine environments. The short-term fate of an Arabian Crude oil was simulated in laboratory experiments using artificial seawater. The time-dependent changes in the rheological and chemical properties of the oil under the influence of natural weathering processes were characterized, including dispersion behavior of the oil under simulated ocean turbulence. Methodology included monitoring the changes in the chemical composition of the oil by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), toxicity evaluations for the oil dispersions by Microtox analysis, and quantification of dispersed soluble aromatics by fluorescence spectrometry. Results for this oil show a sharp initial increase in viscosity, due to evaporative losses of lower molecular weight hydrocarbons, with the formation of stable water-in-oil emulsions occurring within one week. Toxicity evaluations indicate a decreased EC-50 value (higher toxicity) occurring after the oil has weathered eight hours, with maximum toxicity being observed after weathering seven days. Particle charge distributions, determined by electrophoretic techniques using a Coulter DELSA 440, reveal that an unstable oil dispersion exists within the size range of 1.5 to 2.5 um, with recombination processes being observed between sequential laser runs of a single sample.

One aspect of the international problem of marine pollution is pollution by ships. As an international problem, pollution by ships demands action at a level above the national. Many international agreements have been reached, but this thesis argues that a comprehensive liability regime is now necessary. To find the principles upon which such a liability regime should be based, decisions of international tribunals, acts of state practice, and existing conventional arrangements are canvassed. "Reasonableness" is found to be the central characteristic, and is given more specific meaning through the survey. A convention is proposed in general outline only, but a regional framework is suggested, and principles on which to base the convention are summarized. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

The Red Sea is one of the warmest, saltiest, and most oligotrophic seas in the world that supports a healthy and extremely diverse coral reef ecosystem. Increasing development along the Saudi Arabian coast may increase eutrophication due to impacts of human population and also oil pollution from increased shipping traffic and refinery activity. The risk of oil pollution combined with increased eutrophication due to coastal development provides a clear stressor interaction which is vastly understudied. Individually, these stressors are known to negatively impact coral reproduction, recruitment, and growth. This study focuses on reef settlement and recovery following experimentally-simulated disturbance scenarios. Carbonate recruitment tiles were placed on the reef and exposed to four treatments: control, nutrient enrichment with slow-release fertilizer, tiles soaked in crude oil, and a combination treatment of nutrient enrichment and oil-coated tiles. At periods of 3, 6, 9, 14, and 17 weeks, tiles were collected to classify the settled community and measure oxygen production. Oil, nitrate, and phosphate were the biggest determining factors predicting settlement and oxygen production of the different treatments. The oil treatment had the least overall settlement and oxygen production, whereas the nutrient treatment had the most turf algal recruitment and oxygen production. The combination treatment had an antagonistic effect on algal growth: the nutrients facilitated growth on the otherwise toxic oiled tiles.

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The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of water-soluble fractions (WSF) of naphthalene, phenanthrene, No. 2 fuel oil, and coal-tar creosote on the survival, growth, reproduction, feeding, and metabolism of Daphnia pulex. The 48 hr LC50 values after acute exposure (as percent WSF) for creosote, No. 2 fuel oil, phenanthrene and naphthalene were 2.91, 34.10, >>100, and 57.52 percent, respectively. Gas chromatography analysis indicated naphthalene and phenanthrene 48 hr LC50 values (as mg/1) were 2.92-3.89 and 0.96-1.28, respectively. Up to 40 peaks were noted in each stock WSF of creosote and No. 2 fuel oil. For chronic studies, young (24 hr) Daphnia were exposed to calculated LC20 and LC30 concentrations of WSF's for their entire life. The LC30 concentrations of creosote and phenanthrene showed a significant reduction in growth rate and number of live young, as well as reduced number of broods, impairment of molting, and significant delay in reproductive maturation; instances of possible neoplasms were also noted in one organism from each of these test groups. No. 2 fuel oil produced similar effects on growth and reproduction, but results were not as significant. Increased longevity and slight reduction in growth rate were noted for both naphthalene test groups. The effects upon oxygen consumption after exposure to test WSF's were variable. The LC30 concentration of creosote and both naphthalene concentrations were significantly different from each other; both naphthalene concentrations elicited the lowest oxygen consumption rates recorded, while the creosote LC30 group exhibited the highest rate of oxygen consumption. However, no experimental means were significantly different from controls. Highly significant differences existed between filtering rates of organisms after exposure to the WSF's. The LC20 concentrations of creosote and phenanthrene produced the highest and lowest filtering rates, respectively. Both oil test groups demonstrated significantly higher filtering rates. Monitoring zooplankton filtering rates appears to be a promising parameter to evaluate physiological stress on these organisms. This chronic study and data from other comparable chronic studies indicate that the length of a pre-adult Daphnia after 7 days of exposure to stress can be used to predict chronic reproductive effects with the same degree of accuracy as the 21-day test. Adoption of this test would eliminate difficulties with starvation, nutrition, and competition for food which contribute to the variability in reproductive impairment tests. A possible mechanism of action of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons upon endocrine systems is strongly suggested by the dramatic and diverse effects upon growth and reproduction in Daphnia pulex. / Ph. D.

Univ., Diss.--Hamburg, 2006. / Literaturverz. S. [215] - 225.

Soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons is a common problem. Toxic compounds such as BTEXs are present in gasoline derivatives. They can move through the soil and contaminate the groundwater, especially if methanol is present. This problem is critical in permeable soil. Although leaching of BTEX compounds from soil to the water is almost temperature dependent, movement of methanol through the soil is not. Methanol can move through the porous soil and reach the groundwater in a short time. It can also dissolve and carry BTEX compounds through the porous soil. Therefore, fast cleanup of the permeable soil which is contaminated with BTEX and methanol is crucial. Chlorine dioxide is an oxidizer, which is easy to use and safe to transport; and may be considered as a treatment technique for soil cleanup. Keywords: Groundwater, soil contamination, BTEX compounds, methanol, chlorine dioxide, soil cleanup