Thursday, May 21, 2015
13:30 - 15:00

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13:30 - 13:45: / 102B PLANNING FOR DILUTED BITUMEN SPILLS ON FRESH WATER

5/21/2015  |   13:30 - 13:45   |  102B

PLANNING FOR DILUTED BITUMEN SPILLS ON FRESH WATER In 2007, 400 barrels of diluted bitumen spilled into the Burrard Inlet at Vancouver Harbor. None of the spilled product was recorded to have submerged. In 2010, 20,082 barrels of diluted bitumen spilled into the Kalamazoo River. Large quantities of the spilled product submerged and response costs neared $1 billion. The variance in fate and behavior of the oil sands products in these two spills highlights new challenges for response crews working on fresh water. New techniques for response planning are necessary for improved response efforts. The fate of diluted bitumen is largely dependent on the environmental characteristics of the spill location. Rough sedimentation, high turbidity, strong sunlight exposure, high temperatures, and strong currents can weather diluted bitumen and increase its overall density. Determining these characteristics can help responders predict the time frame that bitumen may submerge. To explore possible techniques, the environmental characteristics of the Great Lakes were determined with remote sensing and the data was applied to a risk factor identifying areas with the greatest risk of diluted bitumen submergence in the event of a spill.

Benjamin Silliman (Primary Presenter/Author), The College of William and Mary, bdsilliman@email.wm.edu;


13:45 - 14:00: / 102B ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY PATTERNS IN 7 CANADIAN RIVERS IN RELATION TO STAGES IN OIL SANDS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, 1972 TO 2010

5/21/2015  |   13:45 - 14:00   |  102B

ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY PATTERNS IN 7 CANADIAN RIVERS IN RELATION TO STAGES IN OIL SANDS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, 1972 TO 2010 To evaluate changes in water quality in relation to type and stage of oil sands mining activities in northern Alberta, Canada, we compiled a 38 year dataset (1972 to 2010) and used it to examine patterns in concentrations and loads of 14 water quality parameters (dissolved Se, As and B; total U, V, Mn, Ca and Zn; total suspended solids; dissolved and total organic C; conductivity; bicarbonate) along 7 tributaries of the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers. Both type (open pit versus in situ drilling) and stage (pre-development, early land clearing and construction, and expanded development) of development affected water chemistry. Concentrations of 8 parameters and loads of 10 parameters were greater (P<0.05) post development compared to reference values. Loads for 10 parameters were also greatest (P<0.05) during early exploration and land clearing compared to reference and subsequent expanded operations. Our results indicate that erosion and subsequent runoff associated with land clearing and early operational activities in the oil sands region have affected water quality, and highlight the need for continued systematic real-time monitoring of these systems.

Patricia A. Chambers (Primary Presenter/Author), Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington Ontario, Canada, L7R 4A6, patricia.chambers@canada.ca;


Alexa Alexander (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of New Brunswick and Environment Canada, alexa.alexander@unb.ca;


14:00 - 14:15: / 102B EFFECTS OF PETROLEUM BUNKERING ACTIVITIES ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ECO-ECONOMICS OF MAJIDUN RIVER, IKORODU, NIGERIA

5/21/2015  |   14:00 - 14:15   |  102B

EFFECTS OF PETROLEUM BUNKERING ACTIVITIES ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ECO-ECONOMICS OF MAJIDUN RIVER, IKORODU, NIGERIA Crude oil bunkery is huge problem in Nigeria accounting for a loss of about 10% of total crude export in Nigeria. The occurrence of heavy metals (often associated with crude oil spillage) in water, sediments and a commercially important fish (Clarias gariepinus) from petroleum bunkering sites in Majidun River, Ikorodu, Nigeria were studied in order to assess the impacts of this illegal activity on humans using socio-cultural and eco-economic variables. The study was conducted over a period of 12 months (Jan, 2014 – December, 2014). The data showed high levels of metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Pb and Mn) in different compartments of the ecosystem. Metal levels were all above the tolerable limits recommended by regulatory bodies (FAO and WHO). It was discovered that income generated by local fishers has reduced because of petroleum and heavy metal pollution. The study also revealed a drastic reduction in the delivery of such ecosystem services like food, water, socio-cultural festivities etc. Government intervention by enactment/enforcement of existing laws on crude oil bunkering is important to conserve biodiversity, prevent food insecurity and safe lives.

Fatai Gbolahan Owodeinde (Primary Presenter/Author), Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria, drowodeinde@gmail.com;


PRINCE EMEKA NDIMELE (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA, drpendimele@yahoo.com;


14:15 - 14:30: / 102B MODELING THE TRANSPORT OF OIL-PARTICLE AGGREGATES FROM A DILUTED BITUMEN SPILL IN KALAMAZOO RIVER, MICHIGAN

5/21/2015  |   14:15 - 14:30   |  102B

MODELING THE TRANSPORT OF OIL-PARTICLE AGGREGATES FROM A DILUTED BITUMEN SPILL IN KALAMAZOO RIVER, MICHIGAN The July 2010 spill of diluted bitumen into the Kalamazoo River was the largest release of heavy crude into an inland waterway in U.S. history. Since the spill, extensive cleanup and recovery efforts have taken place, including dredging of oiled sediment in 2013-14. The spilled oil mixed with river sediment and formed negatively buoyant oil-particle aggregates (OPA). The spill required new science for containment and recovery of submerged oil including modeling the fate and transport of OPAs. Multiple hydrodynamic models were implemented for the 60-km oil affected reach of the Kalamazoo River, including a 3D model for Morrow Lake and 2D models for several sediment traps. A Lagrangian particle tracking model was developed and coupled with the hydrodynamic model in order to simulate the transport, deposition, and resuspension of OPAs. An April 2013 high flow scenario and a July 2013 low flow scenario were selected for simulation and analysis. Results of the hydrodynamics and particle-tracking models will be presented; the numerical techniques and governing equations of the particle tracking model will be discussed.

Zhenduo Zhu (Primary Presenter/Author), Ven Te Chow Hydrosystems Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, zhu61@uiuc.edu;


David Waterman (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Ven Te Chow Hydrosystems Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, waterma3@illinois.edu;


Marcelo Garcia (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Ven Te Chow Hydrosystems Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, mhgarcia@illinois.edu;


14:30 - 14:45: / 102B A GEOMORPHIC FRAMEWORK AND TOOLBOX FOR SUBMERGED OIL VOLUME QUANTIFICATION, KALAMAZOO RIVER, MICHIGAN

5/21/2015  |   14:30 - 14:45   |  102B

A GEOMORPHIC FRAMEWORK AND TOOLBOX FOR SUBMERGED OIL VOLUME QUANTIFICATION, KALAMAZOO RIVER, MICHIGAN In July 2010, the largest inland oil spill from a ruptured pipeline released more than 20,000 barrels of diluted bitumen to the Kalamazoo River, Michigan. Spilled oil interacted with river sediment and then submerged, requiring the development and implementation of new approaches for detection and recovery of oil mixed with sediment. A fluvial geomorphic framework and methods aided detection and mapping of submerged oil and oiled sediment along 60 km of the spill-affected Kalamazoo River. Differentiating spilled oil from legacy hydrocarbons in riverbed sediment also was needed. As cleanup of residual submerged oil continued into 2014, an oil volume quantification technique was developed that integrated use of physical, chemical, forensic, and statistical tools. Quantity and distribution of submerged oil can identify and prioritize river segments for remediation. Aspects of oil quantification analysis, considerations for accuracy, and lessons learned are presented. The geomorphic framework and toolbox were successful approaches for the Kalamazoo River submerged oil quantification, applicable to other inland spills of heavy oils. Final submerged oil quantification results have not yet been released by U.S. EPA.

Ronald Zelt (Primary Presenter/Author), U.S. Geological Survey, rbzelt@usgs.gov;


Faith A. Fitzpatrick (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, fafitzpa@usgs.gov;


Thomas Graan (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Weston Solutions, Thomas.Graan@westonsolutions.com;


Isabelle Cozzarelli (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, icozzare@usgs.gov;


Rex Johnson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Global Remediation Technologies, rjohnson@grtusa.com;


14:45 - 15:00: / 102B IMPACTS OF A MAJOR DILUTED BITUMEN (OIL SANDS) SPILL INTO THE KALAMAZOO RIVER (MICHIGAN) ON BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES

5/21/2015  |   14:45 - 15:00   |  102B

IMPACTS OF A MAJOR DILUTED BITUMEN (OIL SANDS) SPILL INTO THE KALAMAZOO RIVER (MICHIGAN) ON BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES North America’s largest inland oil spill and the first major oil sands spill in a freshwater environment occurred in 2010 in the Kalamazoo River (Michigan). We summarize what is known about the impacts on benthic invertebrates, drawing on our own sampling as well as data collected by state and federal agencies. We used artificial substrata to assess densities of macroinvertebrates in the same sites as a rapid assessment by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Both studies found that macroinvertebrate densities were reduced with some recovery the following year. We conducted in situ bioassays with juvenile Hyalella azteca in 2011. Survival did not differ among sites, but growth rates of juvenile H. azteca did decrease downstream of the pipeline break. We collected crayfish to measure bioaccumulation of heavy metals. Impacts on mussels and fish will also be discussed. Recovery from the spill appears to have occurred quickly, and these results are comparable to other oil spills. Long term impacts are uncertain as little research has been conducted on submerged oil.

Micaleila Desotelle (Primary Presenter/Author), Michigan State University, desotell@msu.edu;


Stephen K. Hamilton (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Michigan State University & Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, hamilton@kbs.msu.edu;