Spills

Exploration activities are potentially damaging to the environment. The cutting down of trees in preparation for an onshore seismic survey may result in severe soil erosion in years to come. Offshore, fragile ecological systems such as reefs can be permanently damaged by spills of crude or mud chemicals. Responsible companies will therefore carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to activity planning and draw up contingency plans should an accident occur. In Section 4.0 a more detailed description of health, safety and environmental considerations will be provided. 

Prior to moving the rig and all auxiliary equipment the site will have to be cleared of vegetation and levelled. To protect against possible spills of hydrocarbons or chemicals the surface area of a location should be coated with plastic lining and a closed draining system installed. Site management should ensure that any pollutant is trapped and properly disposed of. 

Now days the devices operating in the radiowave range are designed and they used for oil film thickness measurements and for the oil spills volume evaluation. The device operating on the frequencies from 37,5 to 10,7 begHz provides the measurements of the film thickness in the range from 100 to 6 — 7 pm. It means that all accident happening on the seas surface may be estimated. 

On the environmental side, it turns out that the surfaces of oceans and lakes are usually coated with natural films, mainly glycoproteins [8]. As they are biological in origin, the extent of such films seems to be seasonal. Pollutant slicks, especially from oil spills, are of increasing importance, and their cleanup can present interesting surface chemical problems. 

Filling and sealing the Carius tube. Introduce 100-150 mg. of powdered silver nitrate into the Carius tube, either through a spill of filter -paper rolled and inserted as described on p.418, or through a small funnel, so that the powder falls freely to the bottom of the tube and does not touch or adhere to the walls. 

The distinguishiag features are (i) the special stopcock is constructed to turn easily under a high vacuum (ii) a moulded arrow on the stopcock indicates the open position, euid a quarter turn from this position closes the desiccator and (iii) a special liquid container of the non-spill type. 

Other sources of hazard arise from the handling of such chemicals as concentrated acids, alkalis, metallic sodium and bromine, and in working with such extremely poisonous substances as sodium and potassium cyanides. The special precautions to be observed will be indicated, where necessary, in the experiments in which the substances are employed, and will also be supplied by the demonstrator. The exercise of obvious precautions and cautious handling will in most cases reduce the danger to almost negligible proportions. Thus, if concentrated sulphuric acid should be accidentally spilled, it should be immediately washed with a liberal quantity of water or of a solution of a mild alkali. 

The leagent may also be prepared by dissolving 1 ml. of phenylhydrazine in a solution of 1 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 10 ml. of water. This procedure is not so convenient as that from the solid hydrochloride becaiise of the poisonous character of phenylhydrazine (both liquid and vapour). If the liquid is accidentally spilled on the skin, wash it at once with dilute acetic acid, followed by soap and water. 

Nitrobenzene (and many other liquid organic compoimds containing nitrogen) is appreciably toxic and its vapour should not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere of the laboratory the delivery tube of the condenser should pass well into the mouth of the receiver flask. The liquid is also a skin poison if it Is accidentally spilled on the skin, it should be removed by washing with a litt e methylated spirit, followed by soap and warm water. 

Great caro must be exercised in handling ethyl bromoacetate. Keep a 10 per cent, aqueous ammonia solution available to react with any bromoester which may be spilled. 

Oil Shale Trust Fund Oil slick Oil slicks Oil spills... 

Spec plan. See Spill prevention control and countermeasure plan. 

Others would include the addition of materials aimed at increa sing the bioavailabiUty of the contaminant to the degrading organisms. The most studied compounds are surfactants, but cations have been reported to increase the bioavailabiUty of some organic compounds, and sorbents and clays are also considered. The dispersion of spilled oil on water by the appHcation of dispersants is perhaps the major commercial use of this idea. 

Bioremediation also has the advantage that is can be relatively nonintmsive, and can sometimes be used ia situations where other approaches would be severely dismptive. For example, bioremediation has been used to clean up hydrocarbon spills under buildings, roads, and airport mnways without interfering with the continued use of these faciUties. 

Bioremediation by the addition of oil-degrading microbes is often promoted as a treatment option for floating spills, but this approach has not yet met with any documented success (13). 

Bioremediation is also an option when spills of such compounds contaminate groundwater. For example, bioremediation seems a feasible treatment for aquifers contaminated with alkylpyridines (72) and phenol (73). 

In situations where conserved internal markers caimot be used, such as in spills of essentially pure compounds, the evidence for enhanced biodegradation may have to be more indirect. Oxygen consumption, increases in microbial activity or population, and carbon dioxide evolution have all been used with success. 

R. Varadaraj, M. L. Robbins,. Bock, S. Pace, and D. MacDonald, in Proceedings of the 1995 International Oil Spill Conference, American Petroleum... 

Containers less than bulk must bear the red diamond-shaped "FLAMMABLE LIQUID" label. Bulk containers must display the red "FLAMMABLE" placard in association with the UN1090 identification. Fire is the main ha2ard in emergencies resulting from spills. Some manufacturers provide transportation emergency response information. A listing of properties and ha2ard response information for acetone is pubHshed by the U.S. 

Spill Disposal In treatment of spills or wastes the suppression of vapors is the first concern and the aquatic toxicity to plants, fish, and microorganisms is the second. Normal procedures for flammable Hquids should also be carried out. 

Even small spills and leaks (<0.45 kg) require extreme caution. Unless the spill is contained in a fume hood, do not remain in or enter the area unless equipped with full protective equipment and clothing. Self-contained breathing apparatus should be used if the odor of acrolein or eye irritation is sensed. Small spills may be covered with absorbant, treated with aqueous alkalies, and flushed with water. 

Federal regulations (40 CFR 261) classify acrylonitrile as a hazardous waste and it is Hsted as Hazardous Waste Number U009. Disposal must be in accordance with federal (40 CFR 262, 263, 264), state, and local regulations only at properly permitted faciUties. It is Hsted as a toxic pollutant (40 CFR 122.21) and introduction into process streams, storm water, or waste water systems is in violation of federal law. Strict guidelines exist for clean-up and notification of leaks and spills. Federal notification regulations require that spills or leaks in excess of 100 lb (45.5 kg) be reported to the National Response Center. Substantial criminal and civil penalties can result from failure to report such discharges into the environment. 

The material should be stored in corrosion-resistant containers, away from alkaline or strong oxidizing materials. In the event of a spill or leak, nonsparking equipment should be used, and dusty conditions should be avoided. Spills should be covered with soda ash, then flushed to drain with large amounts of water (5). 

Aerosol products are hermetically sealed, ensuring that the contents caimot leak, spill, or be contaminated. The packages can be considered to be tamper-proof. They deUver the product in an efficient manner generating Httie waste, often to sites of difficult access. By control of particle size, spray pattern, and volume deUvered per second, the product can be appHed directiy without contact by the user. For example, use of aerosol pesticides can minimize user exposure and aerosol first-aid products can soothe without applying painful pressure to a wound. Spray contact lens solutions can be appHed directiy and aerosol lubricants (qv) can be used on machinery in operation. Some preparations, such as stable foams, can only be packaged as aerosols. 

Disposal of waste or spilled caustic soda must meet all federal, state, and local regulations and be carried out by properly trained personnel. Accidental spills of dry caustic are shoveled and flushed with water caustic soda solutions must be diluted and neutralized with acid before discharging into sewers. Dilute acetic acid may be used to neutralize final traces of caustic. 

Fluoroboric acid and some fluoroborate solutions are shipped as corrosive material, generally in polyethylene-lined steel pads and dmms or in rigid nonretumable polyethylene containers. Acid spills should be neutralized with lime or soda ash. 

---