Marine Oil Research Articles

A review on marine oil pollution and cleanup strategies

A review on marine oil pollution and cleanup strategies

Research on Cross-spatiotemporal Remote Sensing Detection of Marine Oil Spills and Emulsions based on Coupling Optical and Thermal Response Characteristics

Research on Cross-spatiotemporal Remote Sensing Detection of Marine Oil Spills and Emulsions based on Coupling Optical and Thermal Response Characteristics

Marine oil spill monitoring based on SAR technology

Marine oil spill monitoring based on SAR technology

Estimation of Marine Oil Spill Surface Characteristics Based on Laser-Induced Fluorescence With IA-DBSCAN

Estimation of Marine Oil Spill Surface Characteristics Based on Laser-Induced Fluorescence With IA-DBSCAN

A review of various dimensional superwetting materials for oil-water separation.

In recent years, the application and fabrication technologies of superwetting materials in the field of oil-water separation have become a research hotspot, aiming to address challenges in marine oil spill response and oily wastewater treatment. Simultaneously, the fabrication technologies and related applications of superwetting materials have been increasingly diversified. This paper systematically reviews the sources and hazards of oily wastewater and oil-water emulsions, several traditional oil-water separation methods, and their limitations, thereby highlighting the advantages of superwetting materials. Additionally, this paper provides an overview of the fundamental theories of wetting and conducts a microanalysis of the penetration mechanism based on Laplace pressure at the gas-liquid-solid three-phase interface. Following this, the latest advances in superwetting oil-water separation materials are elucidated, focusing on five categories: (i) superhydrophobic-superoleophilic materials; (ii) superhydrophilic-underwater superoleophobic materials; (iii) superhydrophobic-superoleophobic materials; (iv) "special" superwetting materials; and (v) smart switchable superwetting materials. This paper innovatively discusses these materials from the perspectives of two-dimensional and three-dimensional materials, deeply studying the mechanisms of oil-water separation and using data to quantify the separation efficiency. Comparative discussions are conducted on the materials from various dimensions, including different substrates, innovations in existing technologies, and fabrication methods as discussed in various articles, followed by corresponding summaries. Finally, the existing shortcomings and challenges of current superwetting materials are summarized, and prospects are proposed. We firmly believe that developing low-cost, stable, environmentally friendly, and practical large-scale superwetting oil-water separation materials will have broad application prospects and potential in the future.

Synergistic dispersion and biodegradation of oil in seawater based on Janus nanosheets and oil-degrading bacteria

Janus nanosheets synergistically interact with oil-degrading bacteria for marine oil spill remediation.

Methanol infrared spectral characteristics in offshore gas logging

Methanol infrared spectral characteristics in offshore gas logging. Methanol was found in the logging gases during offshore gas logging by infrared spectra. Logging gas spectra from over 300 offshore wells and 1,000 onshore wells were processed and analyzed, and methanol characteristics were prevalent in the offshore logging gases but not onshore logging gases. The spectra of instruments Alpha111829 and Alpha111834 are studied as examples. The methanol concentrations in some areas exceeded 1 vol%, seriously interfering with the other measurements of alkane gases. Moreover, there are rapid changes in the trends of methanol concentrations. It indicates that methanol does not originate from drilling fluid additives. The results of the correlation analysis show that there are no strong correlations between methanol and the other logging gas component concentrations. Therefore, methanol may be neither a judgmental indicator component gas for natural gas nor oil but a separate energy source. We believe methanol in the offshore logging gases originates from strata. The discovery and analysis of methanol in offshore logging gases are significant in atmospheric and marine environments, oil and gas exploration, geochemistry, and energy.

Surfactants Influencing the Biocatalytic Performance of Natural Alkane-Degrading Bacteria via Interfacial Biocatalysis in Pickering Emulsions.

Setting superhydrophobic Mycobacterium sp. as an example, the hydrophobic bacteria acting as demulsifying agents of surfactant-stabilized conventional emulsions, vice versa, the synergistic/antagonistic influence of nonionic surfactants (Tween 80 or Span 80) on the stability of the bacteria-stabilized Pickering emulsions was investigated. At the same time, the activated/suppression effect of nonionic surfactants on microbial degradation of tetradecane, which exhibited a dose-response relationship, was also found. The hydrophobic bacteria acting as demulsifying agents and the suppression influence of nonionic surfactants on the biocatalytic performance (indexing as biomass) of natural alkane-degrading bacteria, believed to be totally separated concepts previously, are for the first time found to be closely related to in situ surface modification of bacteria with nonionic surfactants. During the degradation of tetradecane by Mycobacterium sp. in the presence of nonionic surfactants, demulsification due to the bacteria acting as demulsifying agents and interfacial biocatalysis in the bacteria-stabilized Pickering emulsions are involved, which provides useful information to select optimal dispersants for marine oil spills.

Comparison of two field systems for determination of crude oil biodegradation in cold seawater

Marine oil spills have devastating environmental impacts and extrapolation of experimental fate and impact data from the lab to the field remains challenging due to the lack of comparable field data. In this work we compared two field systems used to study in situ oil depletion with emphasis on biodegradation and associated microbial communities. The systems were based on (i) oil impregnated clay beads and (ii) hydrophobic Fluortex adsorbents coated with thin oil films. The bacterial communities associated with the two systems displayed similar compositions of dominant bacterial taxa. Initial abundances of Oceanospirillales were observed in both systems with later emergences of Flavobacteriales, Alteromonadales and Rhodobacterales. Depletion of oil compounds was significantly faster in the Fluortex system and most likely related to the greater bioavailability of oil compounds as compared to the clay bead system.

Oil-source correlations and petroleum accumulation in oil sands in the Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation in the Shajingzi area, Ordos Basin, China

The south-central part of the western Ordos Basin is an important structural belt. Recent drilling of Well YT2 in the Shajingzi area of this belt has led to the discovery of oil sands in the Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation. In this study, Paleozoic source rocks and oil sands were sampled from the Well YT2 and analyzed for oil-source correlations. Geochemical data including saturate and aromatic biomarker compositions were used to investigate the genetic origins of oil sands. Saturated hydrocarbon biomarkers, such as n-alkanes, isoprenoids, tricyclic terpanes and C27-C28-C29 regular steranes, indicate that the oil and source rocks in the Ordovician Wulalike Formation are similar in terms of maturity, provenance and sedimentary environment. Aromatic parameters, such as dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene and alkyldibenzothiophene/alkyldibenzofuran ratios in the oil are similar to those in source rocks in the Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation and the Permian Taiyuan Formation. Moreover, retene is direct evidence that the oil has originated in part from the Yanghugou and/or Taiyuan formations. In addition, the modelled accumulation ages indicate that that the maturity of the two types of oil inclusions is consistent with the source rocks of the Wulalike, Yanghugou and Taiyuan formations during the charging times. The thrust faults runs through the Wulalike, Yanghugou and Taiyuan formations can provide pathways for oil migration. Therefore, the oil from the Yanghugou Formation has a mixed source from the Wulalike, Yanghugou and/or Taiyuan formations. This is the first documented discovery of Ordovician marine oil in the Ordos Basin.

Fatty acid composition, biological activity and authentication of marine fish oil

Marine fish oils (MFO) are known as sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), having beneficial effects on human health. MFO is considered an important raw material in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. It is classified as high price oil; therefore, MFO are subjected to adulteration with low price oils. This review aimed to provide a scientific view of the fatty acid composition, biological activity, and authentication of marine fish oil. Different species of fish have different nutritional content such as triacylglycerols composition, especially DHA, EPA, and lipid-soluble vitamins. Marine fish oil is one of the functional oils that have beneficial effects on human health. Marine fish oil has a high price in the market which is lucrative to be adulterated with lower-priced ones to gain economic profit, therefore reliable analytical methods for detecting the possible adulterated such as combined fourier transform infrared and chemometrics.

PAHs in high Arctic copepods Calanus hyperboreus following exposure of residues from in situ burning of oil spill

In situ burning of marine oil spills reduces the total amount of oil in the environment, but a negative side effect may be the generation of environmentally hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that may pose a risk for bioaccumulation, particularly in organisms having a high lipid content. In this study uptake of PAHs from oil and burn residue were examined in the high arctic copepod Calanus hyperboreus. A major part of the low ring number petrogenic PAHs in the oil was removed during burning and relative higher concentrations of pyrogenic high ring number PAHs was found in the burn residue. This suggests that burning markedly reduces the general PAH exposure load. Furthermore, the pyrogenic PAHs generated during the burn were not bioconcentrated to quantifiable levels in the copepods. We conclude that in situ burning can mitigate the potential risk of PAH uptake for copepods and other pelagic organisms in the marine environment as the pyrogenic PAHs only pose low risk for uptake from the water by the copepods and other pelagic organisms.

Sustainable solar-driven MXene/polyvinylidene fluoride composite nanofiber membrane for oil/saltwater separation and distillation in the complex environment

The escalating environmental crises and water scarcity necessitate innovative water purification and marine oil spill recovery strategies. This study elucidates the potential of photothermal materials as a sustainable, effective strategy for oil/water separation and desalination in extreme conditions. Multifunctional photothermal polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membranes integrated with MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets were synthesized via electrospinning technique. These embedded nanosheets act as solar absorbers and energy converters. Thanks to the superior hydrophobicity and photothermal conversion efficiency, the MXene/PVDF nanofiber membranes exhibited an impressive oil flux of 16977.9 L·m−2·h−1 for hexane flux (gravity-driven) and 1018.7 L·m−2·h−1 for heavy mineral oil flux (~20 cmHg vacuum filtration, 1 sun illumination). Concurrently, the membranes achieved a heavy mineral oil/saltwater rejection ratio exceeding 99%. Importantly, they maintained stability and performance in harsh environments (acidic, alkaline, high-energy UV light). The hydrophobic PVDF nanofiber membrane effectively protected the embedded MXene nanosheets from oxidation. Notably under 1 sun illumination, the photothermal MXene/PVDF nanofiber membrane quickly reached a surface temperature of 101.2 °C, attaining an evaporation rate of 1.56 kg·m−2·h−1 within an hour. These results underscore the potential for an all-in-one solution that efficiently combines oil/water separation and desalination, offering a compelling response to marine oil spills.

Remote sensing methods for striped marine oil spill detection in narrow ship channels

Maritime transport is the backbone of international trade and the global economy. With the increasing frequency of maritime transport, oil spills are on the rise and so is the risk of oil spills in shipping lanes. Therefore, timely oil spill monitoring at the ship channel is of far-reaching significance for marine disaster prevention and control. This study selects oil spill in the ship channel of the northern Yellow Sea as an example and proposes an object-oriented fuzzy logic classification method combining selected multi-feature parameters based on Sentinel-2 data. Firstly, sensitive bands for oil spills are selected to perform multi-scale segmentation of the oil spill object. Then, 30 samples of oil spill objects were uniformly selected in the oil spill area and the average fuzzy membership values were calculated using 11 membership functions by combining the preferred spectral, geometric, texture, and custom features. Finally, five fuzzy logic operators are used to achieve the final classification, while the oil spill misclassification information is processed and compared with the pixel-based SVM and RF algorithms for accuracy. The experimental results show that the oil spill detection based on the “AND” operator is the best compared to other fuzzy operators, with an overall accuracy of 85.19% and a KAPPA coefficient of 0.753. Relative to the pixel-based Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms, the overall accuracy was improved by 15.66% and 11.25%, respectively, and the KAPPA coefficients were improved by 0.072 and 0.161, respectively. The method is feasible for oil spill detection at ship channels and provides technical support for future marine oil spill detection work.

Sustainability and capability-based assessment of marine oil spill response technologies using a decision support system under decomposed fuzzy set.

Marine oil spills are a practically challenging environmental occurrence to remediate. The critical stage of managing marine oil spills is choosing an appropriate response technology. This research implements a novel sustainability and capability policy-oriented decision support system (DSS) and the decomposed fuzzy set-based ORESTE model. First, an integrated criteria system on the basis of the sustainability and capability aspects is employed by considering four social, environmental, economic, and capability dimensions. Second, the ORESTE model under the decomposed fuzzy environment is extended to deal with the uncertainty data, evaluate the conflicts between the candidate alternatives, and choose the optimal scenario. Seven technologies of bioremediation, solidifiers, dispersants, adsorbents, in situ burning, booms, and skimmers for remediating oil spills in the Persian Gulf, Iran, have been assessed. The assessment results indicate that the bioremediation technology is the optimal scenario for the oil spill-contaminated sites management and the suggested DSS is feasible and applicable.

Pharmacokinetics and Changes in Lipid Mediator Profiling after Consumption of Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipid-Mediator-Enriched Marine Oil in Healthy Subjects.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a vital role in human health, well-being, and the management of inflammatory diseases. Insufficient intake of omega-3 is linked to disease development. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are derived from omega-3 PUFAs and expedite the resolution of inflammation. They fall into categories known as resolvins, maresins, protectins, and lipoxins. The actions of SPMs in the resolution of inflammation involve restricting neutrophil infiltration, facilitating the removal of apoptotic cells and cellular debris, promoting efferocytosis and phagocytosis, counteracting the production of pro-inflammatory molecules like chemokines and cytokines, and encouraging a pro-resolving macrophage phenotype. This is an experimental pilot study in which ten healthy subjects were enrolled and received a single dose of 6 g of an oral SPM-enriched marine oil emulsion. Peripheral blood was collected at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h post-administration. Temporal increases in plasma and serum SPM levels were found by using LC-MS/MS lipid profiling. Additionally, we characterized the temporal increases in omega-3 levels and established fundamental pharmacokinetics in both aforementioned matrices. These findings provide substantial evidence of the time-dependent elevation of SPMs, reinforcing the notion that oral supplementation with SPM-enriched products represents a valuable source of essential bioactive SPMs.

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the activity and community composition of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in Arctic seawater.

Increased ship traffic in the Arctic region raises the risk of oil spills. With an average sea depth of 1,000 m, there is a growing concern over the potential release of oil sinking in the form of marine oil snow into deep Arctic waters. At increasing depth, the oil-degrading community is exposed to increasing hydrostatic pressure, which can reduce microbial activity. However, microbes thriving in polar regions may adapt to low temperature by modulation of membrane fluidity, which is also a well-known adaptation to high hydrostatic pressure. At mild hydrostatic pressures up to 8-12 MPa, we did not observe an altered microbial activity or community composition, whereas comparable studies using deep-sea or sub-Arctic microbial communities with in situ temperatures of 4-5°C showed pressure-induced effects at 10-15 MPa. Our results suggest that the psychrophilic nature of the underwater microbial communities in the Arctic may be featured by specific traits that enhance their fitness at increasing hydrostatic pressure.

Effects of suspended particles and dispersants on marine oil snow formation of crude oil/diesel oil.

Marine oil snow (MOS) potentially forms after an oil spill. To fully understand the mechanism of its formation, we investigated the effects of suspended particles (SP) and dispersants on MOS formation of crude oil and diesel oil by laboratory experiments. In the crude oil experiment, the SP concentration of 0.2 g L-1 was more suitable for crude oil MOS formation. The addition of dispersants significantly stimulated N and TV during MS/MOS formation of SP at 0.4 g L-1 and 0.8 g L-1 concentration (p < 0.05). Without SP, the dispersants also stimulated crude oil MOS formation. Furthermore, the concentration of SP had a significantly positive effect on the reduction of the total amount of N-alkanes (p < 0.05). In the diesel oil experiment, after adding dispersants to diesel oil, the maximum N, Dm, and TV values at a SP concentration of 0.2 g L-1 were significantly higher than those at 0.4 g L-1 and 0.8 g L-1 (p < 0.05). Besides, we found that dispersants stimulated MOS formation in diesel oil at a SP concentration of 0.2 g L-1. However, the dispersants had an inhibitory effect on diesel oil MOS formation without SP. Notably, the MOS formed by diesel oil appeared white, unlike the black MOS associated with crude oil. These findings are important for the environmental impact of oil spills and elevated SP concentrations.

The vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of Vescepa® and related unsaturated marine FAME by correlation gas chromatography

This article combines data from two previous reports together with new data dealing with the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of a series of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid methyl ester(s) (FAME) by correlation gas chromatography. The work updates earlier results using newly proposed vaporization enthalpies for the saturated FAME used as standards in previous work. This update also provides some insight into the requirements necessary for appropriate column and standard selection for experiments using correlation gas chromatography. Vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures for saturated FAME methyl heneicosanoate, methyl docosanoate, and methyl tetracosanoate are re-evaluated and together with proposed literature values for methyl tetradecanoate to methyl eicosanoate, are used to evaluate similar properties for a series of unsaturated fatty acid esters. Updated results on the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of a number of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) found in marine oil are reported including several relatively reactive omega-3-polyunsaturated esters. Omega-3-FAME include methyl (9,12,15)Z-octadecatrienoate, methyl (5,8,11,14,17)Z-eicosapentaenoate, and methyl (4,7,10,13,16,19)Z-docosahexenoate among other unsaturated methyl esters. Also included in the study of the omega-3-unsaturated esters is the drug Vescepa®, ethyl (5,8,11,14,17)Z-eicosapentaenoate, a drug used to lower triglyceride levels.

Marine oil spill photodegradation: Laboratory simulation, affecting factors analysis and kinetic model development

Photodegradation significantly influences marine oil spill behavior, yet its role remains underrepresented in current models, impairing predictive accuracy. Addressing this, our study rigorously examined oil properties and environmental determinants affecting marine oil spill photodegradation through laboratory simulations. We identified and quantified key factors and their interactions, noting particularly the positive influence of asphaltene and negative implications of oil density. We also discerned a negative correlation between n-alkane degradation and carbon numbers. Our findings underscored the pivotal roles of temperature and irradiance in photodegradation. All tested oils adhered to first-order kinetics, with rate constants ranging from 0.0348 to 0.0645 day−1. Finally, we introduced a novel model incorporating temperature, irradiance and their interactions, ensuring reasonable simulations for marine oil spill photodegradation, fortifying marine oil spill management strategies.