Oil extraction, refining, and spills

Question 1

what kinds of carbon structures are found in crude oil?

Answer 1

1. alphatics (paraffins)
   - -60-90% crude oil;
2. cycloalkanes (napthenes); no dbs, just ringed versions of alkanes
3. aromatics–most toxic
   - -PAHs, heteroatomic compounds with N,O, or S

Question 2

what are contaminants associated with crude oil extraction?

Answer 2

1. salt–>contaminates ground and oil
2. hydrofluoric acid
3. heavy metals–found with crude oil, but can also be added

Question 3

what are the types of refined fractionated oils and what are they used for?

Answer 3

lighter molecular weight fractions for fuels
medium fractions used for lubricants
heavy fractions used for asphalt

Question 4

what are the factors that influence oil spill damage?

Answer 4

• -proximity to land
• -type of shoreline; e.g. rocky vs mucky: different shorelines hold onto oil in different manners
• -proximity to valuable natural/wildlife resources
• -type of oil; heavy crude oil evaps slower–>sticks around longer
• -wind/sea conditions–>rough waters, push oil out to sea–>more contamination of other places
• -climate

Question 5

what was the problem with the dispersant method to get rid of oil?

Answer 5

emulsifies oil, disappears quicker; however the chemical used as the dispersant was as toxic (if not more) as the oil itself

Question 6

exxon valdez–>oil spill in prince william sound; 11 million gallons of crude out but it remained on top; also didn’t disperse bc it was in alaska–cold

Answer 6

ya

Question 7

what was the issue with the clean up of EV?

Answer 7

steam cleaned–sterilized beach, destroyed ecosystem

Question 8

biodegradation of oil spills?

Answer 8

microorganisms play major role in bioremediation; may degrade heavy stuff slower though;
bacteria can better eat the oil if there is lots of SA–>dispersant–>increase SA 10-100 times

Question 9

oil toxicity–heavy oils have a blanketing effects; starves filter feeders from oxygen and nutrients; birds and mammals lose insulation
lighter fractions cause systemic toxicity–>due to low mw alkanes, BTEX, and 2-3 PAHs & heterocyclics
acute tox related (in part) to water sol (inverse rln with mw)

Answer 9

ya

Question 10

what effects do oil residues have on pink salmon?

Answer 10

shortened jaw, cardiac edema, can’t absorb yolk sac