Simulations of accidental coal immersion.
Coal is currently becoming an increasingly interesting fossil energy resource and that is the reason why its maritime transport, and hence the risk of collier accidents, increase. In this work, the environmental impact of an accidental coal immersion at sea is studied: the physicochemical effects are estimated using innovative experimental setups--a laboratory seawater canal called "polludrome" is used to evaluate the behaviour of coal particles submitted to a seawater flow, and a specifically designed tub is used to study the physicochemical consequences induced when coal is introduced into continuously renewed seawater. When coal is introduced into seawater, the most easily visible consequences are physical: fine coal particles reduce the daylight penetration up to 100% and move along with the flow, and coal chunks accumulate on the floor. Chemical effects are also measured: humic matters are dissolved from coal into seawater (up to 2 mg L(-1)), but no release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is evidenced. Some inorganic compounds are dissolved, among which manganese, whose concentrations can reach 1 microg L(-1). Fortunately, the results show that the environmental impact of this type of accident would remain limited.
Jaffrennou
Cathy
C
Chemistry Department, University of Brest, 6 Avenue Le Gorgeu, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France.
Giamarchi
Philippe
P
Cabon
Jean-Yves
JY
Stephan
Ludovic
L
Burel-Deschamps
Laure
L
Bautin
François
F
Thomas
Annabelle
A
Dumont
Julien
J
Le Floch
Stéphane
S
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis; D008027:Light; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis*; D012767:Ships; D013997:Time Factors; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D003031:Coal; D006812:Humic Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008274:Magnesium