Basics for Pollution Investigation Flashcards
What are the Sock, Pillow, and Sweep dimensions and uses?
- Pillows are sorbent materials enclosed in a small sack
- Sweeps are long sheets of sorbent material, reinforced with rope/stitching.
- Uses are similar to Pads and rolls.
What is OPA 90
- 1990 - Exxon Valdez - OSLTF through the NPFC - FOSCR Authority to designate RPs - Established Strike Teams
What are inland waters?
- 33 C.F.R. (Subpart B) 2.28 - Waters shoreward of the Territorial Sea baseline.
What are sorbent boom dimensions and appropriate uses?
- Cylindrical shaped, deployed like boom.
- Absorb and contain oil
- Good with thin films of oil
- Can protect sheltered areas
- Disposable
What is tow booming?
- Boom pulled by two boats, usually at less than one knot
- U-Booming- Vessels tow boom in a u configuration downstream, holding position, or moving upstream ( must maintain a width at least 1/3 of boom length)
- V-Booming - Vessels form a v shape with the use of a tie in
- J-Booming - Two vessels and a skimmer are used in a j configuration, diverting the oil to allow for simultanious containment and recovery
What are the different type of evidences you can collect?
- Documentation- NOFIs, witness statements - Physical - Photographs, physical items - Oil Samples - oil, soil
What is a Navigable Waterway?
- 40 C.F.R. 300.5 - (1) For purposes of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251et seq. and its implementing regulations, subject to the exclusions in paragraph (2) of this definition, the term “waters of the United States” means: (i) All waters which are currently used, were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; (ii) All interstate waters, including interstate wetlands; (iii) The territorial seas; (iv) All impoundments of waters otherwise identified as waters of the United States under this section; (v) All tributaries, as defined in paragraph (3)(iii) of this definition, of waters identified in paragraphs (1)(i) through (iii) of this definition; (vi) All waters adjacent to a water identified in paragraphs (1)(i) through (v) of this definition, including wetlands, ponds, lakes, oxbows, impoundments, and similar waters;
What are Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons?
- They are formed during the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. Commonly found in smoke, coal gas and coke manufacture. - Carcinogens.
Oxygen enriching atmosphere?
- Leaking oxygen hoses - Increased chances of explosion
What are the most common types of oil and hazardous materials in your AOR?
- Crude Oil
- Sour - contains the impurity sulfur(>.5%). Toxic and corrosive. Rotten egg smell. High leverl of hydrogen sulfide can be instantly fatal.
- Sweet - contains small amounts of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.
What is the process of processing oil samples?
- MISLE - MSL
What is a weir skimmer?
Skims oil of the surface of the water into the weir where it collects and is pumped or suction to containment. - Advantages - suitable for shallow water; simple/reliable; easily deployable. - Disadvantages - Can be clogged by debris; does not recover high viscous oil; Centrifugal pumps may cause emulsion.
What is a Notice of Federal Interest?
- CG - 5549 - Issued to any potential RP - Notifies of the potential penalties under the FWPCA
- Maximum penalty of $40k per day or up to 3 times the amount incurred by the OSLTF
Oil Record Book?
- Oil Tanker 150 GT or more: Vessels 400 GT or more shall carry an Oil Record Book Part 1 - Oil Tanker 150 GT or more and none Oil Tanker with 200 cubic meters or more of oil in bulk must have an Oil Record Book 2. - Record of oil transfers and discharges within the vessel.
What are the different types of enforcement options?
- LOW - NOV - Civil Penalty I and II - Criminal
What is a submersion skimmer?
- Oil in the path of the vessel is forced under the surface where it is collected in a containment; the oil rises to the top and is contained ant the water passes through.
Where are Responsible Party cleanup responsibilities listed?
- 33 C.F.R. 153.305 -) Use to the maximum extent possible mechanical methods and sorbents that: (1) Most effectively expedite removal of the discharged oil; and (2) Minimize secondary pollution from the removal operations; Note: The Federal OSC is authorized by the provisions of the National Contingency Plan to require or deny the use of specific mechanical methods and sorbents. Sorbent selection considerations of the OSC include hydrographic and meteorological conditions, characteristics of the sorbent, and availability of a mechanical method for containment and recovery. (b) Control the source of discharge, prevent further discharges, and halt or slow the spread of the discharge by mechanical methods or sorbents or both to the maximum extent possible; (c) Recover the discharged oil from the water or adjoining shorelines by mechanical or manual methods or both to the maximum extent possible; (d) Use chemical agents only in accordance with the provisions of Subpart H of the National Contingency Plan and with the prior approval of the Federal OSC; and (e) Dispose of recovered oil and oil contaminated materials in accordance with applicable State and local government procedures.
What is a Hazard Class?
- 49 C.F.R. 171.8. Hazard class means the category of hazard assigned to a hazardous material under the definitional criteria of part 173 of this subchapter and the provisions of the 172.101 table. A material may meet the defining criteria for more than one hazard class but is assigned to only one hazard class.
What is a hazardous substance?
- 40 C.F.R. 302.4 and 40 C.F.R. 116.4 - Any substance designated or listed under (A) through (D) of this definition, exposure to which results or may result in adverse effects on the health or safety of employees: [A] Any substance defined under section 103(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. 9601). 40 CFR 300.5 [B] Any biologic agent and other disease causing agent which after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any person, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical deformations in such persons or their offspring. [C] Any substance listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation as hazardous materials under 49 CFR 172.101 and appendices; and [D] Hazardous waste as herein defined.
What are the components of boom?
- Exxon 5 - Freeboard - Draft - flotation - Waterline - Tension Member, - Ballast -Skirt - Anchor - Retrieval Line - Chain
What are the approved levels of oxygen for a safe work environment?
- WMD-m-10065 Coast Guard Gas Alert Quattro Manual - 19.5 - 22%
What is organic sorbent?
- Peat Moss - Straw - Saw Dust - Feathers
What is olephilic skimmer?
- Drum - disc - rope - mop - sorbent lifting belt and brush
What must happen when a licensed merchant mariner is involved.
- Investigations must be notified
What is a simple weir skimmer?
- Oil flows over a simple wier lip and is collected in a sump.
What is the training requirements for HMS?
- Provide support to HMT with specific knowledge - 25 hours of training
What is reactivity?
- A substances ability to undergo a chemical reaction wither by itself or with another substance.
What is the definition of a discharge?
40 CFR 300.5 - includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of oil, but excludes discharges in compliance with a permit under section 402 of the CWA, discharges resulting from circumstances identified and reviewed and made a part of the public record with respect to a permit issued or modified under section 402 of the CWA, and subject to a condition in such permit, or continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 402 of the CWA, that are caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems. For purposes of the NCP, discharge also means substantial threat of discharge.
Where do we get the authority for COTP?
- 33 CFR 6(Protection and security of vessels) - 33 C.F.F. 160(Ports and Waterways Safety)
What is a reportable quantity?
- 40 C.F.R. 302.(CERCLA), 117.3(FWPCA) any quantity, as set forth in this part, the release of which requires notification.
How do you handle oil samples?
- Must have accurate and detailed Chain of Custody - Must be kept cool if not sent immediately. - Should not be frozen (40-42) degrees. (CG Transmittal Guide)
What is oil?
- A viscous liquid derived from petroleum, especially for use as a fuel or lubricant.
- Petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with waste.
What are some hazards during responses?
- Noise(Hearing protection above 85 decibels)
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Wear rubber soled boots
- Make path obstructions visible with signs
- Overhead Hazards ( Wear hard hats)
- Atmospheric Deficiencies ( 4 gas meters)
- HAZMAT ( Careful of the HAZMAT classes)
- Weather ( Wear appropriate PPE when weather minimums are breached.
What is an advancing weir skimmer?
- A weir lip is advanced through the oil slick.
- Some models may use water jets to increase water and oil flow
- Some models use impellers.
What are the NOV discharge limits?
- Harmful quantity - 1K gallons -
What are the hazards of H2S(Hydrogen Sulfide)?
- A by-product of oil refininf and natural emission from rotting organic matter. Smells like rotten eggs, highly flammable, strong irritant to eys and mucous membranes.
What is the admin order regulation?
- 33 C.F.R. 1.01-80
What is the Coastal Zone?
- 40 C.F.R 300.5 -for the purpose of the NCP, means all United States waters subject to the tide, United States waters of the Great Lakes, specified ports and harbors on inland rivers, waters of the contiguous zone, other waters of the high seas subject to the NCP, and the land surface or land substrata, ground waters, and ambient air proximal to those waters. The term coastal zone delineates an area of federal responsibility for response action. Precise boundaries are determined by EPA/USCG agreements and identified in federal regional contingency plans.
What are the Pad, Roll, and Blanket dimensions and uses?
- Sheets of sorbent material, can be in long sheets or in pads.
- Good for confined areas
- May be reused if wrung out.
- Rolls can be cut to an optimal length and used to cover walkways, and areas that aren’t contaminated or have been previously cleaned.
What is a physical barrier?
- Earthen berms, trenches or filter fences - Can use an under/overflow dam for water flow.
What do you do if an LOW is declined?
- Next level of enforcement - MSM Vol 5
What is a Criminal Penalty?
- May based on significant harm to the environment an culpability - Significant harm may be based on: - Actual Harm - Threat of significant harm - Failure to report - Illegal conduct that appears to represent a trend - Culpability may be based on: - History of repeated Violations - Knowledge of Illegal Conduct - Presence of Deliberate Misconduct
What are the criteria for LOW?
- <25 gallons, commercial - <50 gallons, recreational - No more than 2 in the previous year - Meets 5 elements
What is the definition of a release?
40 C.F.R. 300.5 - Any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers, and other closed receptacles containing any hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant)
What is the authority to violate spillers?
- 33 USC 1321(b)(3)
What is the training requirements for FRO
- Take defensive actions without stopping the leak - 8 hours of training
What are Informal Investigations?
- Death - Injury(fractured bones, loss of limbs, internal organ damage) - Vessel loss less than 500GT or barge loss more that 100GT - Collision exceeding $25k - Loss of Propulsion/Steering - Flooding or Fire - Equipment Failure - Discgharge of oil or release of hazardous cargo - Diving Casualties
What is the number to the NRC?
- 1-800-424-8802
What is the purpose of the National Contingency Plan?
- 40 C.F.R. 300.1 - Provide the organizational structure and procedures for preparing for and responding to discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants
What is particulate sorbent?
- Not recommend for water - Good for isolated/remote spills.
How many hazard classes are there and how many?
- 9 - Explosives - Flammable Gas - Flammable Liquids - Flammable Solids - Oxidizers - Poisonous - Radioactive - Corrosive - Misc
What is the Certificate of Documentation?
- 46 C.F.R. 67.313
- The person in command of a documented vessel must have on board that vessel the original Certificate of Documentation currently in effect for that vessel.
How can we enter private property?
- MSM Vol 2 Ch 7, Vol 6 Ch 7 - OSC can enter without warrant for response activities and related activities. - Seek permission first - Take photographs - Have local authorities present.
What is a drum skimmer?
- One or more oleophilic drums are rotated in the slickk, then the oil is scraped off into a trough. The oil is then pumped off internally or externally.
- Advantages - Shallow water operation; simple design; Often compact; high oil/water pickup ratio; Can tolerate some debris.
- Disadvantages - Limited to calm water; Will not recover highly viscous oil;
What is absorbent?
- sucks material like a sponge - Sorbent pads, blankets, and boom
What is a Marine Casualty?
46 C.F.R. 4.03-1 - Any casualty or accident involving any vessel other than a public vessel that— Occurs upon the navigable waters of the United States, its territories or possessions; Involves any United States vessel wherever such casualty or accident occurs; or With respect to a foreign tank vessel operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), involves significant harm to the environment or material damage affecting the seaworthiness or efficiency of the vessel. Any fall overboard, injury, or loss of life of any person. Any occurrence involving a vessel that results in— Grounding; Stranding; Foundering; Flooding; Collision; Allision; Explosion; Fire; Reduction or loss of a vessel’s electrical power, propulsion, or steering capabilities; Any incident involving significant harm to the environment. Any occurrences of injury or loss of life to any person while diving from a vessel and using underwater breathing apparatus. Any incident described in §4.05-1(a).
What is boom submergence?
- Anchored in fast current
What are the RPS responsibilities for notifying the NRC?
- 40 C.F.R 110.6 - 40 C.F.R. 117.21
What are the operational response phases for oil removal?
- 40 C.F.R. 300.300 - Discovery and Notification - 40 C.F.R. 300.305 - Preliminary Assessment and Initiation of action - 40 C.F.R. 300.310: Containment, Countermeasures, cleanup, and disposal. - 40 C.F.R. 315: Documentation and Cost Recovery
What documentation is needed for oil samples
- Chain of custody
What is anchored boom?
- Control of contain floating oil slicks without the need of towing
- Exclusion booming - Boom is deployed across or around sensitive areas and anchored in place
- Diversion Booming - Boom is deployed at an angle to the approaching slick
- Containment Booming - boom is configured in a body of containment water for the purpose of holding or slowing the movement of contamination.
- Deflection Booming - Changes the course of contamination.
What is the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act 1986?
- $8.5 billion superfund
- Redefined release to include abandoned drums and barrels
- local governments can apply for reimbursement
What is the Clean Water Act
- 1977 - Defined HQ and RQ - NRC created - $311k Fund
What manuals are MSMs and CFRs are used for pollution response?
- CFRs- 29, 33, 40, 46, 49 - MSMs - 2, 5, 6, 9
When does entranement occur
- Boom >.7 to 1 knots
Oxygen depleting atmosphere?
- Inert Gasses (Carbon Dioxide, nitrogen, argon) - Rusting metal - Dying fruits
What is the Refuse Act of 1899?
- Enforced by the ACOE - Prevent Obstructions to Navigation - Criminal Penalty
What is a confined space? Code?
- 29 C.F.R. 1910.146
- large enough to enter and perform work,
has limited means of entry/exit,
not designed for continuous human occupancy
What is a site safety plan?
- 29 C.F.R. 1910.120(b) - safety and risk hazard - Emloyee training - PPE - Air monitoring - Site control measures - Emergency response plan - Decontamination - Confined Spaces.