Subsequent Spill Research Articles

Экспериментальное исследование теплообмена в межстенном пространстве криогенного резервуара с порошковой изоляцией

Currently, double-wall cryogenic non-isothermal tanks with vacuum-powder or vacuum-multilayer insulation are used in storage and transportation of such cryogenic liquids as liquid nitrogen, oxygen and liquefied natural gas. If the inner vessel is disrupted, the liquid spills into the heat-insulating space and evaporates as a result of heat inflow from the environment. This increases pressure in the thermal insulation space. To ensure functioning of the tank, it is necessary to limit pressure increase in the heat-insulating space. Results of experiments on evaporation of the liquid nitrogen entering the space filled with powder insulation were presented (expanded perlite was considered in the experiments). Experiments were carried out on a laboratory model simulating the tank heat-insulating space. Nature of the cryogenic liquid distribution in the powder insulation volume was determined, possibility of the cryogenic liquid direct contact with the walls of the tank was shown, and the tank walls temperatures and the cryogenic products evaporation intensity over time were determined. Based on the work results, physical and mathematical model of the emergency process development in the interwall space of a cryogenic tank associated with violation of the inner vessel tightness and subsequent spill of cryogenic liquid into the heat-insulating space was refined

Is Man the New Prospective Amplifying Host? Evolving Faces of SARS-CoV Dynamics and the Epidemiological Challenges

Introduction: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the globe. Health systems are grappling with an unprecedented pressure, as the highly virulent SARS-CoV-2 strain is spreading unhinged, under a yet to be understood selection pressure. To understand the underlying causes, and the rapidly evolving disease epidemiology, we need to look closely and comprehend the evolutionary dynamics of the Human Coronaviruses or the HCoV. Methods: The research about this narrative review was conducted using digital platforms like PubMed/Medline, Semantic Scholar, medXiriv, Google Scholars, NIH, EMBL repository, John Hopkins CSSE COVID-19 Data, ResearchGate, and all the mentioned published work, peer-reviewed research articles, and data, have been accessed using the same. Results: The global rise in COVID-19 incidence and the declining trend witnessed in CFR clearly indicates rapid adaptability of the virus across a widespread population encompassing varied genetic make-up, race, diversity, and others. The last two decades have witnessed two HCoV related epidemics viz. the highly pathogenic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus or SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. While both instances reflect the suspected role of bats as the common reservoir host, the differing intermediate hosts and subsequent spill over to humans is alarming. Conclusions: Through this review, we hypothesise that large-scale pandemics such as this, with alarming instances of differential case incidence patterns in widely varied climatic and geographical conditions put forth the rapid genetic adaptability of coronaviruses. This raises further concerns of a prospective “amplifying-host” in man keeping in mind the widely prevalent asymptomatic silent carriers of COVID-19 currently present across the globe.

Counting the cost of the Niger Delta's largest oil spills: Satellite remote sensing reveals extensive environmental damage with >1million people in the impact zone

The Niger Delta has a long history of oil and gas exploration and production, but this has come with a heavy environmental cost arising from oil spills and other pollution events. Two oil spills in Ogoniland in 2008/9 were by far the largest in terms of both duration (149 days combined) and magnitude (82,939,170 l combined), but little is understood about the extent of impact of these events because traditional field-based surveys are virtually impossible in this region. In this study, the normalised difference vegetation index, a technique used for measuring plant health, was applied to multi-temporal satellite images to delineate an extensive area of 393 km2 that has experienced vegetation mortality resulting from the oil pollution. These effects persist to present and are exacerbated by continuing subsequent spill events. Independently collected field samples confirmed the high concentrations of hydrocarbon pollutants in the impact area. The extensive tidal river network and mangrove swamps have facilitated the spread of oil, with the delta becoming a sink for the oil that is dispersed but not removed. Over 1 million people live within the area contaminated by oil and have potentially been exposed to pollution through direct and indirect pathways over a prolonged period. The population in the impact area is particularly vulnerable to chronic illness due to its young age structure and pre-existing very low life expectancy. Hence, there is an urgent need to mitigate the impacts of the pollution on environmental and human health. The novelty of this work is that satellite remote sensing allows the impacts of pollution to be monitored across large areas in a geographically remote and challenging environment. The outputs from this study could be used to guide the future spatial targeting of the limited remediation resources that are available, to achieve positive outcomes.

Emergence of a Zoonotic Pathogen - Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the Context of Changing Environment

A newly discovered strain of coronavirus is the causal agent of COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary findings suggest that this novel coronavirus - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might have originated in bats, and thereafter crossed the species barrier from an intermediate host; eventually spreading within humans. Bat coronaviruses are older than the coronaviruses identified in other animals and have shown a consistent growth rate. The diverse natures of coronaviruses in different bat species have witnessed repeated introductions and occasional establishment in other animal species. The dispersion of animal diseases and zoonotic pathogens is facilitated by rapid globalization, international trading and the ever-growing flow of goods and people. Climate change coupled with globalization and extensive deforestation can act as a significant selection pressure which can lead to onsets of future coronavirus transmission cycles. Climate change alters the availability of viable habitat for the hosts as well which results in the redistribution of host ranges and host densities relative to habitat resources. An attempt has been made in this review to assess and analyze the possible causes of the emergence of a zoonotic pathogen having pandemic potential, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its subsequent spill over to humans causing COVID-19. How to cite this article:Bhattacharya S, Sinha S, Baidya D, Tilak R. Emergence of a Zoonotic Pathogen - Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the Context of Changing Environment. J Commun Dis 2020; 52(2): 67-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202021

Potential effects and impacts of a coal spill on sensitive aquatic habitat: a weight-of-evidence sediment quality assessment

Abstract On 11 January 2014, a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailed on the Canadian National Railway Company's Yale Subdivision, Mile 122.7, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. This derailment resulted in the partial release of metallurgical coal from three rail cars into, and adjacent to, Silver Creek. Following the derailment and subsequent spill, a comprehensive coal recovery program was implemented. As part of the program, coal deposits were removed from the Silver Creek mainstem in the right-of-way during the stabilization work. A total of approximately 143 tonnes of mixed coal, organic and mineral fines were removed during this program. Subsequently, using a weight-of-evidence sediment quality triad approach, a two-year Aquatic Impact Assessment was conducted to evaluate whether the remaining residual coal in Silver Creek and Burnaby Lake presented the potential for impact to the aquatic environment. Lines-of-evidence (LOEs) were evaluated, including sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, bioaccumulation potential and coal content. The majority of the data from exposed sampling locations indicated that there was low potential for impact, based on the assessed LOEs. Hence, given the overall low potential for residual impacts from the coal deposits in the Silver Creek–Burnaby Lake ecosystem, no further clean up or monitoring was recommended.

Numerical modelling of oil-sands tailings dam breach runout and overland flow

Tailings dams, used for containing the residue of mining processes, are very important elements of the Alberta oil-sands industry in Canada. Potential breach of any of these dams can have catastrophic impact on the environment, economy and human health and safety. Therefore, understanding the after-breach processes is a crucial step in hazard analysis and response planning. This paper studies the potential consequence of a hypothetical oil-sands tailings dam breach by performing numerical simulations of the runout and non-Newtonian overland flow of tailings, including the resulting flooding condition and subsequent spill to nearby water bodies. A non-Newtonian dam-breach model with a visco-plastic rheological relationship is used for this purpose. The model is first validated using the 2014 Mount Polley tailings dam breach in British Columbia, before its application to investigate the flooding volume, extent, and downstream hydrograph of a hypothetical breach from a selected oil-sands tailings dam. The validation results show that the model is able to reproduce the flooding extent and water level variation (due to breach wave) at a downstream lake. The oil-sands tailings spill simulation study demonstrated the importance of considering the non-Newtonian behaviour of tailings materials as the non-Newtonian approach resulted in twice as long flood travel time and slightly less spill volume to the downstream river (i.e. Lower Athabasca River) as that of a Newtonian fluid (i.e. water). The results are also found to be highly sensitive to the rheological parameters of the tailings materials such as their viscosity and yield stress that need to be determined through proper calibration.

Sulfolane: Magic Extractor or Bad Actor? Pilot-Scale Study on Solvent Corrosion Potential

The sulfur-containing derivatives and their metabolites, regarded as ‘old devils of green’ chemistry, constitute a relevant class of air/water/soil contaminants in over-polluted world. In fact, some industrially-engineered solvents have become environmentally unfavorable. An attractive alternative to commonly used industrial liquids is sulfolane (C4H8SO2), an anthropogenic medium. The main objective of this paper is the comprehensive review focusing mainly on the state-of-the-art aspects of the sulfolane synthesis, application of sulfolane as an extractive solvent due to its ‘unique’ physicochemical properties as well as the potential of sulfolane to cause equipment corrosion and subsequent spills. The potential risk for groundwater contamination, danger for human health and ways of sulfolane biodegradation were briefly reviewed as well. Interestingly, the analysis performed on data stored in the Reaxys database revealed an alternating tendency of waxing and waning interest in sulfolane during the space of the last fifty years. Moreover, the primary goal of the presented case study was to verify applicability of industrial, multi-electrochemical technique for reliable detection of corrosion in low conductive process fluids. Several aspects of corrosion measurement including the impact of process parameters (temperature) and impurities (oxygen and chlorides) on stainless steel corrosion in pure sulfolane were investigated briefly.

Produced Water Surface Spills and the Risk for BTEX and Naphthalene Groundwater Contamination

The widespread use of unconventional drilling involving hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) has allowed for increased oil-and-gas extraction, produced water generation, and subsequent spills of produced water in Colorado and elsewhere. Produced water contains BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) and naphthalene, all of which are known to induce varying levels of toxicity upon exposure. When spilled, these contaminants can migrate through the soil and contaminant groundwater. This research modeled the solute transport of BTEX and naphthalene for a range of spill sizes on contrasting soils overlying groundwater at different depths. The results showed that benzene and toluene were expected to reach human health relevant concentration in groundwater because of their high concentrations in produced water, relatively low solid/liquid partition coefficient and low EPA drinking water limits for these contaminants. Peak groundwater concentrations were higher and were reached more rapidly in coarser textured soil. Risk categories of “low,” “medium,” and “high” were established by dividing the EPA drinking water limit for each contaminant into sequential thirds and modeled scenarios were classified into such categories. A quick reference guide was created that allows the user to input specific variables about an area of interest to evaluate that site’s risk of groundwater contamination in the event of a produced water spill. A large fraction of produced water spills occur at hydraulic-fracturing well pads; thus, the results of this research suggest that the surface area selected for a hydraulic-fracturing site should exclude or require extra precaution when considering areas with shallow aquifers and coarsely textured soils.

Peri-urban agriculture and cultural heritage. The public potential of the in-between areas

<p class="PublicSpace-Keywords">In this paper we examine the effects of urban farming in a worldwide system of dismissed areas affected by the phenomena of large-scale industrial dismissing and shrinking cities. We study the features of urban decay and subsequent spill overs of land and soil use in private and public conduct in agri-urbanism. The connection between the city and its farmland could represent an opportunity to improve the welfare of the whole area near the city, made possible by establishing a close relationship between the development of sustainable agriculture and the city. This renewed interest in agricultural production not only depends on urban and - or economic interest, but on a new conception of city that can improve the use of agricultural gardening to overcompensate for the empty spaces between industrial and rural areas, as well as those peri-urban spaces which are included between buildings and sub-urban voids.</p>

Numerical simulations of comminution slurries over complex topographies: Putting together CFD and pipeline integrity

The use of computational fluid dynamics gives new and interesting insights for risk analysis of cross-country ore hydraulic transport operations. In particular, they offer the possibility to predict, with reasonable accuracy, the progression and final condition of spills driven by pipeline leaks at selected locations, at a relatively modest computational cost. In this work, a depth-averaged, two-dimensional numerical model is used to simulate an ore concentrate pipeline rupture and subsequent spill, reproduced as a constant flow condition at the leak point. Although the model is well suited to solve the governing flow equations on arbitrary topographies by means of digital elevation models, two specific locations featuring relatively mild and steep slopes, are analysed with regard to their implications on the potential requirements for emergency team response. Results, obtained using different slurry rheologies, are compared with those obtained using a simpler, common flow resistance model derived for water flowing over rough surfaces.

(A191) The Challenge of the Mexican Oil SPILL (MC252)

This proposal considers the recent events in the Gulf of Mexico during the British Petroleum MC 252 explosion and subsequent spill. It will discuss the challenges and innovative solutions applied by those involved in the Safety and Pre-hospital medical branch of the Deepwater Horizon spill response. First, it examines the logistical and practical challenges faced by emergency medicine planners working with a large temporary workforce on a HAZMAT scene for many months. It will also discuss the geographic challenges with working on dock sites that existed in local communities with mostly a rural medicine and hospital system, while also considering the potential for ambulance and further pre-hospital support. Impacts resulting from the public/private Incident Command Structure (ICS) will also be discussed liberally throughout the presentation. The author is the former Emergency Response Coordinator for one of BP's largest contractors in charge of the Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) and Near-Shore Skimming (NSS) programs. He was in charge of coordinating all emergency medicine in multiple US states throughout the response. It will analyze the multi-layered approach taken by on-site contractors in addressing these issues from a planning and operational perspective. Planners discovered that a uniform, one-size-fits-all approach applied by the Unified Area Command in New Orleans was virtually inapplicable to sites that had unique geographic and personnel characteristics. Furthermore those who involved in cleanup work in the Gulf had very different requirements than those on-shore. Therefore, site-specific personnel had to adapt to conditions while working within the framework established in New Orleans in order to satisfy ICS guidelines and ensure that emergency medicine in local communities was not overwhelmed. Lessons for future responses will be discussed, as there will be an examination of both the land-based NSS and the water-borne VOO programs.

T/B MORRIS J. BERMAN OIL SPILL: RESTORATION PROJECTS OVERVIEW

ABSTRACT The January 7, 1994, barge Morris J. Berman grounding and oil spill off Punta Escambrín, near San Juan, Puerto Rico, resulted in injury to natural resources along the shoreline and impaired their use for an extended time. Three major injury categories were pursued by the Trustees and the restoration projects for these injuries are presented in this paper. Including interest, approximately $10M in settlement funds are being used to fund 6 restoration projects. About $6 million of the settlement funds is being used for three projects to restore eolianite reef habitat, a type of fossilized sand dune, and other reef resources injured by the barge grounding and subsequent spill. One project, called the Condado Coral Trail project, will install artificial reef modules in the Condado Lagoon, approximately 1 mile southeast of the barge grounding site. Also in the Condado Lagoon, a 32-acre dredge hole will be brought back to historic elevations through beneficial use of dredged marine sediments. The third reef project entails acquisition of shoreline and coastal property which is intended to provide reef resource services comparable to those lost as a result of the oil spill and grounding. This parcel provides habitat for over 40 rare species of plants and animals including a major nesting beach for the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle. The acquisition project also serves as the sole compensatory restoration project for lost recreational beach use. The parcel is being designated as a Puerto Rico Natural Reserve thereby allowing the public to use the land, including its unspoiled beaches, for recreational purposes. Finally, three restoration projects are being implemented to compensate for the lost historic visitor use services at the San Juan National Historic Site. More than 123,000 visitors to the El Morro and San Cristobal forts were affected by the spill for approximately six weeks. The first of the three projects includes Improving and Extending the Coastal Promenade, a walkway at the base of El Morro. The second is restoration of El Morro Water Battery and the third is cleaning and stabilizing certain exterior walls of the El Morro Fort.

Entrainment of Air into a Balcony Spill Plume

This article examines various uncertainties relating to calculation methods for the balcony spill plume. The approach of physical scale modeling is used in the analysis. Comparisons are made between experimental results and predictions made using these calculation methods. This work has demonstrated that the presence of a downstand from the soffit at the spill edge of a compartment opening appears to have little effect on the entrainment of air into the subsequent spill plume. A simplified spill plume formula has also been developed to predict the mass flow rate of gases, which inherently includes entrainment of air into the free ends.

EARTHQUAKES AND OIL SPILLS: LESSONS FROM THE SANTA CLARA RIVER SPILL

ABSTRACT On January 17, 1994, the Northridge earthquake struck southern California and caused multiple ruptures in a pipeline; the ruptures resulted in a 4607-barrel oil spill into the Santa Clara River. The veterinary mobile response vehicle equipped by the California Department of Fish and Game's Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response (CDFG-OSPR) was called into use for immediate field stabilization. The International Bird Rescue Research Center of Berkeley, California, was hired to retrieve and provide rehabilitation care for the birds. Thirty-seven birds, mainly Virginia and Sora rails, were retrieved, and 24 birds were released; thus the survival rate was 65%. This spill effort was unique because, for the first time, blood samples were taken at the retrieval site; these samples revealed an early and very crucial “snapshot” of the affected birds. There was a noticeable difference in blood values compared with blood samples taken in wildlife care centers during previous oil spill responses. White blood cell counts were in the low to normal range (average 7800; range of 2700 to 12,700) (n = 20). Birds regained a predominant number of lymphocytes (over heterophils) in a shorter period of time than in other spills (i.e., 14.9 days versus 4 weeks). Methods for reducing stress in oiled birds were improved. Protocols for stabilization, stress reduction, housing, and handling used in this spill may serve to improve avian care and survival rates in subsequent spill response efforts.

Pillow formation and layered flows in the Circum-Superior Belt of eastern Hudson Bay

Detailed sections mapped across well exposed Aphebian tholeiitic and komatiitic flow assemblages on the islands of eastern Hudson Bay afford an insight into mechanisms of pillow development. Most of the flows with distinguishable boundaries are pillowed in their lower parts and massive in their upper parts. Pillow tubes are envisaged as developing, therefore, at the thin leading edge of a flow; as the volume.of flow is thus choked the lava behind overrides the impediment and repeats the process farther forward. Continued repetition of tube formation at flow fronts and the subsequent overriding or diversion of advancing lava result in formation of a carpet of pillow tubes over which the massive, flowing lava meanders in the manner of a prograding river. When lava production declines or ceases, lava streams and trapped ponds distributed over the surface of the pillow mat freeze into the massive tops observed in section.Layered flows are a development of the same process, illustrated in this paper by the Hudson's Bay layered flow. In this flow, a massive top thickens from 20 to 75 m over a lateral distance of 200 m as a result of damming behind a pillow barrier of its own making. Subsequent spills of lava over the pillow dam increased its height until the drainage, adapting to the new topography, aligned itself parallel to the barrier and flowage resumed along the thickened lens thus created. Accompanying flow differentiation formed an olivine-rich zone suspended above and conforming to the shape of the base of the massive lens.

FATE OF OIL FROM THE SUPERTANKER METULA

The supertanker Metula ran aground on satellite patch shoals just inside the First Narrows of the Strait of Magellan on August 9, 1974. On the 2nd day after the grounding, the supertanker swung to starboard and holed and flooded its engine room compartments. The initial oil spill was reported to be 6,000 T. Subsequent spills continued, with the largest being 20,000 T on or about August 19, 1974 until the total reported spill quantity of 51,500 T of crude oil and about 2,000 T of Bunker C fuel oil was reached. The oil from the Metula spill is disappearing at varying rates at different locations on Tierra del Fuego. The exposed coastline is hiding or dissipating the oil into the sea by wave turbulence, blowing sand, and deeper penetration into the beach. Beach detritus such as oiled kelp and kelp holdfasts, lumber, and trash will probably be the longest lived evidence of the spill. The magnitude of the spill coupled with the absence of any cleanup activity has made it serve a valuable role as a test system for observing recovery from a major oil spill in a cool climate.