Thesis (M. Env. St.)--University of Adelaide, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 273-308).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Restricted until October 2005. Bibliography: leaves 127-136.

[pt] Notícias ambientais no Brasil foram dominadas através de derramamentos de óleo nos últimos anos. Esta dissertação apresenta os resultados de um programa experimental para estudar a capacidade de desorção térmica em limpar as costas afetadas.A temperatura ambiente, os resíduos oleosos emitem metano e amônia e estas emissões tendem a aumentar com a elevação das temperaturas. Por outro lado, o teor de óleo e graxa dos resíduos oleosos cai com o aumento da temperatura e exposição prolongada.Um cobertor térmico foi construído e avaliado. Os resultados mostraram que sua eficiência é restringida a poucos décimos de centímetros abaixo da superfície do solo devido à condutividade térmica de areias. Porém, esta desvantagem poderia ser contornada colocando o termopar de controle do sistema na profundidade desejada.Finalmente, a desorção térmica in situ parece ser um sistema único para a limpeza de resíduos oleosos. É simples, rápido e evita todo o incômodo associado à escavação de solo para disposição ou limpeza. / [en] Environmental news in Brazil has been dominated by oil spills in the past years. This dissertation presents the results of a comprehensive experimental programme on studying the ability of thermal desorption on cleaning up the affected shores.At ambient temperature, oiled debris emit methane and ammonia and these emissions tend to increase with rising temperatures. On the other hand, oil&grease content from oiled debris falls with rising temperature and prolonged exposure.A thermal blanket was designed, built and evaluated herein. Results have shown that its efficiency is restricted to few tenths of centimetres below the ground surface due to the thermal conductivity of sands. However, this drawback could be overcome is the control thermocouple of the system is positioned at the desired depth.Finally, in situ thermal desorption seem to be an unique system for cleaning debris from oil spills. It is simple, fast and avoids all the harassment associated to digging up the soil for disposal or cleanup.

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...

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.

Harmful organic contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, are ubiquitous in coastal marine ecosystems around the world, a problem that will only be exacerbated with rising sea level and increased inundation of coastal urban areas. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the fate of these contaminants following their deposition on marine sediment, where they can potentially persist for long periods of time. As organic carbon remineralization rates depend on the respiration process employed by the bacteria in the sediment, it was the goal of this study to determine how the sediment redox environment, with an emphasis on Fe redox chemistry, affects the biodegradation of recalcitrant petroleum hydrocarbon compounds. While amendment of natural sediment with Fe minerals that are commonly transported to coastal areas following erosion from continental crust did successfully catalyze Fe reduction and inhibit sulfate reduction, the effect on the hydrocarbon biodegradation rate was negligible. However, inoculation of the sediment with Shewanella oneidensis, an exoelectrogenic, Fe reducing bacteria known to catalyze the degradation of hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil, did significantly affect the redox environment and sediment microbial communities and alter the pattern of hydrocarbon loss in the sediment over time. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

In this research, we use an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the narrative of Radio Ucamara in order to render visible the material and spiritual consequences of the largest oil spill of the first decade of the 2000s in Peru. To do so, I analyze two documentaries: Consuelen a mi pueblo. Cuninico, dos años después (14' 37"), and Daños a la espiritualidad kukama (11' 40"). They show their forms of resistance and denunciation through what we call a voz memoriosa. This conceptual metaphor is characterized by intersecting their own social practices (songs, icaros, and stories) with official narratives (the chronology of the spill, the tallying of material damage, and extracts from trials). Thus, their way of presenting the consequences of the spill and of representing themselves in relation to them is not only cross-cultural, but also highly metaphorical. I chose to apply a qualitative approach based on ten extensive, in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews and by instant messaging with Leonardo Tello, director of Radio Ucamara, from May 2020 to June 2021. The analysis and the theoretical concept reveal that documentaries are part of their social practices insofar as they involve community members and the non-human subjectivities with whom they relate. Thus, they, on their own terms, manage to interweave Western perspectives of linear (cause-consequence) remembrance with their polyphonic remembrance of organic aesthetics. The concept that I propose allows us to broaden Ginsburg’s use and understanding of organic aesthetics. The study also offers an analysis of the way in which those affected describe the consequences that environmental pollution brings directly upon their spirituality. / La presente investigación analiza desde un enfoque interdisciplinario la narrativa de Radio Ucamara para visibilizar las consecuencias materiales y espirituales del derrame de crudo de petróleo más grande de la primera década de los 2000 en el Perú. Para ello, analizo dos documentales: Consuelen a mi pueblo. Cuninico, dos años después (14' 37") y Daños a la espiritualidad kukama (11' 40"). Estos muestran sus formas de resistir y denunciar a partir de lo que llamamos una voz memoriosa. Esta metáfora conceptual se caracteriza por intersecar prácticas sociales propias (cantos, icaros e historias) con narrativas oficiales (la cronología del derrame, la contabilización de los daños materiales, extractos de juicios). De ese modo, su forma de presentar las consecuencias del derrame y de representarse frente a ellas no solo es intercultural, sino que es altamente metafórica. Se optó por aplicar un enfoque cualitativo sostenido en diez entrevistas extensas, a profundidad y semiestructuradas vía telefónica y a través de mensajería instantánea con Leonardo Tello, director de Radio Ucamara, desde mayo del año 2020 hasta junio de 2021. Los análisis y concepto teórico hechos permiten entender que los documentales forman parte de las prácticas sociales del territorio en tanto envuelven a los miembros de la comunidad y a las subjetividades no humanas con quienes se relacionan. Así las cosas, ellos, desde sus propios términos, logran entramar las perspectivas occidentales de recuerdo lineal (causa-consecuencia), con su recuerdo polifónico de estética orgánica. El concepto propuesto permite ampliar el uso y la forma de entender la estética orgánica de Ginsburg. Asimismo, el estudio propone un análisis de la forma en la que los afectados narran las consecuencias que la contaminación ambiental trae directamente a su espiritualidad.

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The interdependence and cooperation in the international arena have brought different benefits and made the world more interconnected. As the global system became more complex new types of state and non-state actors have emerged. Institutions have also been introduced with the specific objective to support in upholding mutual agreements and to make sure that the compliance between the several actors is followed. These institutions aim not only to uphold the stability of the system but also to provide support for power asymmetries in a competitive international system. Yet, the difficulty of holding powerful actors accountable is present in the global governance debates.  On one hand, Robert Keohane (2003) argues that democratic accountability is not possible due to the lack of a global public but suggests accountability mechanisms to understand who should hold actors to their accountability. On the other hand, Michael Goodhart (2011) offers an alternative view by arguing that the focus should be on norms, rather than agents, and these norms should carry a democratic standard.  This paper aims to investigate Repsol and more specifically, focus on the oil spill at the La Pampilla Refinery in Peru. The objective is to understand the accountability (or lack thereof) of the oil and gas companies for the harmful, environmental impact that was caused by the oil spill. The dynamics between the actors involved in this case will be studied and analyzed with the aim to expose any shortcomings of accountability in global governance. As a result, this case suggests that without firmer rules from the host country, the business industries are unlikely to make big amendments to their operations to prevent future oil spills. The result of this research adds to the IR discussion concerning the need to strengthen international norms and enable the agency of institutions.

I investigated the relationship between harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) behavior and lack of recovery from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. First, I evaluated the hypothesis that harlequin ducks in winter have little flexibility to increase foraging time in response to disturbance because they are constrained to forage during daylight. Eight radio-tagged harlequin ducks wintering in Resurrection Bay, Alaska were monitored for evidence of dive-feeding at night. Each radio-tagged individual was detected during an average of 19.5 of 22 nocturnal monitoring sessions and signal loss indicative of diving behavior was not detected during a total of 780 minutes of signal monitoring. In contrast, the same 8 radio-tagged birds were detected during an average of 9.1 of 12 daytime signal monitoring sessions and signal loss indicated diving behavior during an average of 62 �� 7% of 5-minute daytime monitoring periods (total of 364 minutes of signal monitoring). Thus the harlequin ducks monitored in this study rarely, if ever, fed by diving at night, possibly due to reduced foraging efficiency and (or) increased predation risk at night. This result suggests that harlequin ducks in mid-winter may be severely time-limited in their foraging, especially in northern parts of their winter range. Therefore, subtle changes in energy requirements and (or) time-activity budgets as a result of continued exposure to residual oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill may affect the ability of harlequin ducks to meet their daily energy requirements. Second, I tested the hypothesis that exposure to crude oil affects time-activity budgets of harlequin ducks. Controlled oil-dosing and plumage-oiling experiments were conducted using adult female harlequin ducks in captivity. I found no evidence that ingestion of weathered Prudhoe Bay crude oil affected the occurrence of feeding activity during 30-minute observation periods, nor was there evidence of effects on time spent feeding. Effects of crude oil ingestion on maintenance activity were detected, but were neither consistent between the 2 years of the study, nor dose-dependent for the 2 doses administered (2 and 20 mL kg����� wk�����), and therefore did not strongly support an oil-dosing effect on maintenance activity. Consequently, these results provided little support for the hypothesis that oil ingestion affects time-activity budgets of captive harlequin ducks, at least for the doses and conditions of captivity used in this study. Plumage-oiling reduced feeding activity in captive harlequin ducks. The estimated probability of feeding during 30-minute observation periods for birds in the high-exposure oiling group (5 mL of crude oil) was 53% less than that of non-oiled controls. Oiled birds exhibited a trend of reduced time feeding with increasing level of external-oiling; this effect was greatest among birds in the high-exposure oiling group, which spent 43% less time feeding than non-oiled birds. Reduced feeding was associated with less time in the water dive-feeding and presumably lower heat loss. Trends in the occurrence of maintenance activity and time spent in maintenance activity for birds in the high-exposure treatment suggested plumage-oiling increased maintenance activity, but results were not conclusive. The behavioral changes associated with plumage-oiling in captivity would likely reduce fitness in the wild, where a high proportion of time must be spent in the water feeding. If residual Exxon Valdez oil sequestered in beach sediments enters the water column where it may be encountered by harlequin ducks, external exposure may lead to reduced feeding activity. This, in turn, may compromise survival, particularly during mid-winter when the time available for diurnal foraging is low and maintenance energy requirements are high. / Graduation date: 2004