title: Surface weathering and dispersibility of MC252 crude oil.
abstract: Results from a comprehensive oil weathering and dispersant effectiveness study of the MC252 crude oil have been used to predict changes in oil properties due to weathering on the sea surface and to estimate the effective "time window" for dispersant application under various sea conditions. MC252 oil is a light paraffinic crude oil, for which approximately 55 wt.% will evaporate within 3-5 days when drifting on the sea. An unstable and low-viscosity water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion are formed during the first few days at the sea surface. This allows a high degree of natural dispersion when exposed to breaking wave conditions. Under calm sea conditions, a more stable and light-brown/orange colored water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion may start to form after several days, and viscosities of 10,000-15,000 mPa s can be achieved after 1-2 weeks. The "time window" for effective use of dispersants was estimated to be more than 1 week weathering at sea.
authors.affiliation: SINTEF, Environmental Technology, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Per S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Daling
authors.affiliation: SINTEF, Environmental Technology, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Frode
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leirvik
authors.affiliation: SINTEF, Environmental Technology, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Inger Kjersti
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Almås
authors.affiliation: SINTEF, Environmental Technology, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Per Johan
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Brandvik
authors.affiliation: SINTEF, Environmental Technology, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Bjørn Henrik
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Alun Lewis - Oil Spill Consultancy, Staines, Middx TW18 2EG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: SINTEF, Environmental Technology, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D004655:Emulsions; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis*; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Dispersant effectiveness; Oil dispersibility; Oil spill; Oil weathering model predictions; Sea surface oil weathering MC252