Abstract
Hurricane Katrina's storm surge displaced and damaged a 250,000 barrel storage tank causing a Nigerian crude oil blend (API 36.4 degrees) to be released and dispersed into the adjacent evacuated residential area by the retreating floodwaters. The subsequent environmental assessment involved sampling and chemical fingerprinting of nearly 15,000 wipe and soil samples collected both inside and outside of buildings to determine which properties were impacted by the spilled crude oil. Tier 1 qualitative analysis of gas chromatograms and Tier 2 quantitative (revised Nordtest-type) and qualitative (ASTM D5739-type) analysis of petroleum biomarkers revealed the extent of crude oil contamination-as well as the widespread occurrence of hydrocarbons derived from (i) lubricating, hydraulic, and transmission oils, most likely from vehicles in the flooded area, and (ii) allochthonous natural organic matter (NOM) from the surrounding bayous. Conventional oil spill fingerprinting protocols and two-component mixing models (crude oil/lube oil and crude oil/NOM) were used to confirm the presence of the spilled crude oil-even when mixed at low concentrations with other hydrocarbon sources-as a means to develop and govern a settlement and remedial program with the affected property owners.
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