Aerostat sampling of PCDD/PCDF emissions from the Gulf oil spill in situ burns.

Abstract

Emissions from the in situ burning of oil in the Gulf of Mexico after the catastrophic failure of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform were sampled for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF). A battery-operated instrument package was lofted into the plumes of 27 surface oil fires over a period of four days via a tethered aerostat to determine and characterize emissions of PCDD/PCDF. A single composite sample resulted in an emission factor of 2.0 ng toxic equivalency (TEQ) per kg of carbon burned, or 1.7 ng TEQ per kg of oil burned, determined by a carbon balance method. Carbon was measured as CO(2) plus particulate matter, the latter of which has an emission factor of 0.088 kg/kg carbon burned. The average plume concentration approximately 200-300 m from the fire and about 75-200 m above sea level was <0.0002 ng TEQ/m(3).

• Authors: Johanna Aurell, Brian K Gullett
• Journal: Environmental science & technology (Environ Sci Technol) Vol. 44 Issue 24 Pg. 9431-7 (Dec 15 2010) ISSN: 1520-5851 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21073185 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants
• Benzofurans
• Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
• Particulate Matter
• Petroleum
• Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins

Topics

• Air Pollutants (analysis)
• Benzofurans (analysis)
• Chemical Hazard Release
• Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
• Environmental Monitoring (instrumentation, methods)
• Environmental Restoration and Remediation
• Incineration
• Oceans and Seas
• Particulate Matter (analysis)
• Petroleum
• Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins (analogs & derivatives, analysis)