In order to study the potential effects of an oil spill on coral reef organisms, the marine sponge, Cinachyrella spp. was investigated. In this study, Cinachyrella spp. was placed in a closed aquaculture system and exposed to sub-lethal water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of Macondo crude oil and chemically-enhanced water accommodated fractions (CE-WAFs) of the dispersant, Corexit 9500, over a 24-hour time course, in order to model the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and oil spill sponge response. Illumina RNA sequencing and gene expression analysis utilizing hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis, and KEGG bioinformatic database generated 34,147 unique transcripts with differential expression of 483 transcripts across all samples related to metabolism, genetic, environmental, and cellular processes, and associations with pathways involved in human disease development and progression. These pathways highlight the induction of Rac1, a GTPase in the Ras superfamily responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation, and senescence and SOS, a set of specialized Ras-GTP activators. These Ras-regulated signaling proteins are thought to play a significant role in the development of human malignancies, specifically Rac1. The data reported here helps support the possible role of Cinachyrella spp. as an ecotoxicological model for oil and dispersant pollution as well as the identification of potential biomarkers of stress and environmental perturbation. These results have important implications in identifying stress response in coral reef associated communities, and will ultimately be useful in coral reef conservation, management, and oil spill mitigation activities.

ABSTRACT To compare the degree of biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments from Ikarama and Okwori in the Niger delta, Nigeria, concentrations of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments were measured. Analysis was conducted with gas chromatography using mass spectrometry detector. While the decrease in concentrations of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons confirmed the process of biodegradation in the sediments it was not solely fit to substantiate the degree of biodegradation in the sediments. Hence the percentage proportion of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was used. The degree of biodegradation of n-alkanes in both Okwori and Ikarama was almost similar. However, it was observed that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were biodegraded in Okwori sediments than Ikarama sediments and this indicates the degree of biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons impacted sediments in Okwori is greater than that of Ikarama.

The construction industry is facing challenges when it comes to increased costs, defective timetables and inadequate material handling. The purpose of the study is to highlight and propose possible improvements to the process of using plasterboards in the construction industry. The aim of the survey is to investigate how the use of plasterboards can be made more efficient through better collaboration between stakeholders in the construction industry and to identify shortcomings in the current construction process. Interviews were used to produce improvements and shortcomings. The result showed that there is a lack of communication between actors and when handling plasterboards. Other shortcomings in the industry are documentation of changes made during production and cooperation between actors. / Byggbranschen står inför utmaningar när det kommer till ökade kostnader, bristande tidsplaner och bristfällig materialhantering.Syftet med studien är att belysa och föreslå möjliga förbättringar av processen kring gipsanvändning i byggbranschen. Målet med undersökningen är att undersöka hur användningen av gipsskivor kan effektiviseras genom ett bättre samarbete mellan aktörer i byggbranschen samt att identifiera brister i nuvarande byggprocess. Intervjuer användes för att få fram brister och förbättringsmöjligheter.Intervjuerna visade att det finns brister i kommunikationen mellan aktörer samt vid hantering av gipsskivor. Andra brister i branschen är dokumentation av ändringar gjorda under produktionen och samarbete mellan aktörer.

A aplicação de modelagem numérica para análise acidentes envolvendo derrames de óleo se tornou uma das principais ferramentas para o estudo deste tipo de impacto ambiental, auxiliando na previsão do deslocamento e permitindo maior eficácia nas formas de atuação nos processos de contingência do deslocamento da mancha. Estes pressupostos dão impulso ao desenvolvimento de pesquisa aplicada neste caso específico de estudo, ou seja, de modelação hidrodinâmica no Canal de São Sebastião em vários cenários através da utilização do módulo hidrodinâmico do software MIKE 21 da DHI, e da avaliação dos resultados gerados pela simulação através de comparação com o acompanhamento de eventos reais de espalhamento de manchas de óleo em acidentes antigos e com uma imagem de satélite simultânea a um derramamento. Foram avaliados sete eventos distintos onde ocorreram vazamentos de óleo no Canal de São Sebastião e a eles comparados às simulações hidrodinâmicas geradas pelo modelo em diferentes condições ambientais. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o deslocamento da mancha de óleo está condicionado preferencialmente pelo regime de ventos, estando bem correlacionados com os padrões hidrodinâmicos encontrados. A partir das diferentes situações apresentadas nas simulações, é possível estimar o sentido do deslocamento em acidentes futuros, dando subsídios nas ações de contenção dos efeitos deste tipo de acidente. / The application of numeric models for analysis of oil spill in the coastal environments becomes one of the most important ways to understand the behavior of the oil in this case of impact, giving subsides to the prediction of the displacement of the patches and allowing best efficiency in the control of the extension of the impact agent. These assumptions give thrust to the development of applied research in this work, which is defined by the knowledge of the different hydrodynamic conditions that compose the oceanographic structure in the São Sebastião Channel, by the utilization of the software MIKE 21 of the DHI (Danish Hydrodynamic Institute) and the comparison with historic cases of spill described in the literature. A satellite image was processed showing the real conditions of the spill, considering the physic-chemical changes and compared with the other data improve the evaluation process. Seven oil spills were studied and compared to the simulations, and there were generated six scenarios in different environmental conditions. The results show that the most important forcing of the environmental conditions of the oil patch is the wind, and the simulations agree well with the real processes. The hydrodynamic module of Mike 21 reveals an applicable tool for this kind of studies, giving sufficient information to reduce the impact of oil spill improving the oil spill contention.

Several Arctic council reports conclude that oil spills are the most significant threat to the Arctic ecosystem. Some studies have shown that in-situ burning (ISB) of oil spills over water can remove more than 90% of the oil, and is the most promising technology for an efficient response to oil spills in the Arctic region. The definition of "In situ" is intentional, controlled burning of oil in place (i.e., without extracting or removing the oil first). Earlier studies [Bellino (WPI 2012), Farahani, (WPI 2014)] have investigated burning behavior of crude oil on ice, similar to what one would expect in sea-ice or bare lake ice conditions. The focus of the current study is to investigate the burning behavior of crude oil in snow, similar to oil spills in snow-covered land, or in snow covered sea ice in the Arctic. Understandably, due to the difference in packing density between ice/water and snow, the parameters that influence burning behavior of oil in snow are different compared to burning oil in the sea or ice conditions. The current experimental study shows that the snow behaves as a porous medium, and depending on the porosity and volume of the oil spill, two extreme behaviors are exhibited. In the case of an oil spill on snow with low porosity, the oil sinks easily to the bottom, and the burning involves, significant thermo capillary effects enabling the oil to rise up and burn. On the other hand, if the snow is less porous, most of the oil layer remains on the surface, approaching the case of an ice bed. However, the melting of snow due to flame heat flux causes a circulating flow pattern of the oil, whereby the hot layer at the surface moves down and comes back up due to capillary action. These processes, which have not been observed in the earlier studies, are physically explained in this study. The implications to overall efficiency of the burning process, which represents the amount of crude oil left in the snow after the burning process is discussed. The results will ultimately improve the strategies and the net environmental benefit of, and by it the success of, oil clean-up after an accidental spill on snow.

Thesis. 1976. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Ocean Engineering. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Engineering. / Bibliography: leaves 83-84. / by Robert J. Van Houten. / Ph.D.

Detta arbete har sin utgångspunkt i ökad återvinning och minskning av sopberg. Ett exempel som vi har använt oss av i vår forskning är ett samarbete mellan Röda Korset och Kriminalvården. Varje år slängs 25 % av de textilier som välgörenhetsorganisationer får in och dessa sopberg skulle man kunna minska genom ökad återvinning. Kriminalvården har registrerat ett varumärke som heter Made in Jail, vilka tillverkar köksrelaterade produkter. Syftet med det här arbetet blev därför att utveckla idéer till hantverksprodukter som slukar mycket spill.Valet av metod blev kvalitativa intervjuer, som utfördes med tre personer med olika kopplingar till arbetet. Ett studiebesök utfördes även som inspiration, där det fanns uppslag till produkter, färger och design. Från dessa undersökningar skapades en kravspecifikation som ligger till grund för resultatet. Resultatet blev två produktförslag, en trasmatta och en lappmatta.Under resultatdelen ges förslag på hur spillet ska sorteras, bde materialmässigt och färgmässigt. Trasmattan är en idé där tjockare material och knappar kan användas. Lappmattan är en ny idé där tunnare material används till rutorna och linningar kan klippas till fransar.Slutligen förklarar vi varför dessa produktidéer skulle kunna minska sopbergen.This paper is based on an aspiration to increase recycling and reduce the mountains of waste. An example that we have used in our research is the collaboration between Swedish Red Cross and Kriminalvården. Each year, 25 % of the textiles which charities receive become garbage and those mountains of waste could be reduced through increased recycling. Kriminalvården has registered a brand called Made in Jail, which manufactures kitchen related products. The purpose of this paper is therefore to develop ideas for handicraft products using as much waste as possible.The choice of method was qualitative interviews, with three people with different connections to the collaboration. A study visit was also made as an inspiration, where ideas for products, colors and design were found. From these studies a specification was created, which form the basis for the result. The result was two product ideas, a rag rug and a carpet inspired by patchwork quilt.We give suggestions on how to sort the waste, both materially and color wise. The rag rug is a viable idea where thicker materials and buttons can be used. The patchwork rug is a new idea where thinner materials are used to create the squares and waistbands can be cut into fringes.Finally, we explain how these product ideas could help to reduce the mountains of waste. / Program: Textil produktutveckling med entreprenörs- och affärsinriktning

A aplicação de modelagem numérica para análise acidentes envolvendo derrames de óleo se tornou uma das principais ferramentas para o estudo deste tipo de impacto ambiental, auxiliando na previsão do deslocamento e permitindo maior eficácia nas formas de atuação nos processos de contingência do deslocamento da mancha. Estes pressupostos dão impulso ao desenvolvimento de pesquisa aplicada neste caso específico de estudo, ou seja, de modelação hidrodinâmica no Canal de São Sebastião em vários cenários através da utilização do módulo hidrodinâmico do software MIKE 21 da DHI, e da avaliação dos resultados gerados pela simulação através de comparação com o acompanhamento de eventos reais de espalhamento de manchas de óleo em acidentes antigos e com uma imagem de satélite simultânea a um derramamento. Foram avaliados sete eventos distintos onde ocorreram vazamentos de óleo no Canal de São Sebastião e a eles comparados às simulações hidrodinâmicas geradas pelo modelo em diferentes condições ambientais. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o deslocamento da mancha de óleo está condicionado preferencialmente pelo regime de ventos, estando bem correlacionados com os padrões hidrodinâmicos encontrados. A partir das diferentes situações apresentadas nas simulações, é possível estimar o sentido do deslocamento em acidentes futuros, dando subsídios nas ações de contenção dos efeitos deste tipo de acidente. / The application of numeric models for analysis of oil spill in the coastal environments becomes one of the most important ways to understand the behavior of the oil in this case of impact, giving subsides to the prediction of the displacement of the patches and allowing best efficiency in the control of the extension of the impact agent. These assumptions give thrust to the development of applied research in this work, which is defined by the knowledge of the different hydrodynamic conditions that compose the oceanographic structure in the São Sebastião Channel, by the utilization of the software MIKE 21 of the DHI (Danish Hydrodynamic Institute) and the comparison with historic cases of spill described in the literature. A satellite image was processed showing the real conditions of the spill, considering the physic-chemical changes and compared with the other data improve the evaluation process. Seven oil spills were studied and compared to the simulations, and there were generated six scenarios in different environmental conditions. The results show that the most important forcing of the environmental conditions of the oil patch is the wind, and the simulations agree well with the real processes. The hydrodynamic module of Mike 21 reveals an applicable tool for this kind of studies, giving sufficient information to reduce the impact of oil spill improving the oil spill contention.

Hillsborough County, Florida is subject to a variety of natural and technological hazards, which have the potential to threaten both the population and the built environment. This research focuses on several natural hazards (coastal flooding, sink hole, and hurricane) and technological hazards (toxic transportation spills and toxic release from fixed storage facilities) and the population that is potentially exposed to these hazards. Social vulnerability for this population was determined using racial composition, gender, age and household rental/ownership status. Both social vulnerability and exposure to hazardous conditions occur as a continuum across geographical space. The determination of who is exposed; the extent of exposure; and the hazardousness of their environment; requires converting this continuum into discreet values. There is little agreement on how this should be accomplished. The goal of this project is to improve on this situation by developing a multiple hazard map and a social vulnerability map using the best available data with a focus on data integration. The resulting maps were used to determine the extent that the community of Hillsborough County is exposed to hazardous conditions and the social vulnerability of that exposed community. The impact of hazard analysis is dependant on the creation of the hazard map. The hazard map can be affected by application of weighting factors to the individual or groups of hazards. Weighted linear combinations were used to examine how the exposed population changes when different hazard models are used. A technique of cumulative frequency mapping was used to examine how the composition of the exposed population changed as the hazard scores increased. This was useful in visualizing that different vulnerable communities were not exposed to hazards equally. This technique will be useful for future vulnerability/hazard assessments. The results of this research show that the most vulnerable populations in Hillsborough County, Florida are not exposed to the most extreme hazards. Instead the preponderance of the population is moderately vulnerable and is exposed to moderate hazards. It is important to focus on this population to help prepare for and respond to hazardous events and to work toward diminishing their social vulnerability.

The Deepwater Horizon blowout occurred on April 20th, 2010, releasing 4.9 million barrels of Louisiana crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Subsequent to the Deepwater Horizon blowout, sediment cores revealed oil on the northern GoM seafloor and abnormal skin lesions were seen in GoM fishes. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a component of crude oil, in fish has been associated with many sublethal effects, including cancer and population-level effects. Using a biomarker of exposure to PAHs, this thesis evaluates inter-species, temporal and spatial differences in exposure to hydrocarbon contamination between three species of fish with varying levels of association with the sediment, that were potentially exposed to Deepwater Horizon crude oil: golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps), king snake eel (Ophichthus rex) and red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), and examines patterns in these data using life history, behavior and environmental data. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, bile samples and biometric data were collected from fish via demersal longlining and bile was analyzed for three PAHs, naphthalene, phenanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene and their metabolites, using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-F). Bile of golden tilefish had significantly higher concentrations of naphthalene and phenanthrene metabolites, compared to red snapper and king snake eel. For biliary naphthalene metabolites, golden tilefish had an average concentration of 240 ug g-1, compared to 61 ug g-1 for red snapper and 38 ug g-1 for king snake eel, for the year 2012. Biliary naphthalene metabolite concentration has decreased 8% in golden tilefish samples, between 2012 and 2013, indicating continuous exposure to petrogenic pollution, while naphthalene metabolites decreased 49% over time for red snapper and 37% for king snake eel, indicating episodic exposure to elevated petrogenic pollution prior to 2011. The concentration of naphthalene metabolites measured in golden tilefish in this study are some of the highest concentrations measured in the GoM and internationally, while naphthalene metabolite concentrations for red snapper and king snake eel are similar to 1990's GoM data. In contrast, concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites were statistically similar for all three species, suggesting a difference in the disposition of or exposure to benzo[a]pyrene contamination. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites are relatively low when compared to other GoM and international data, for all three species. This study has identified a species of GoM fish, golden tilefish, that is exposed to a present-day source of petrogenic PAH pollution and certain fish species that were episodically exposed, in the years following the Deepwater Horizon blowout. With residual Deepwater Horizon oil still found in GoM sediments, coastal marshes and beaches, there is a need to identify these chronic exposures to persistent PAH pollution, monitor PAH concentrations in over time and evaluate the resulting sublethal effects to better understand the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon blowout on marine resources such as GoM fisheries.