title: Characterization of the particulate emissions from the BP Deepwater Horizon surface oil burns.
abstract: Sampling of the smoke plumes from the BP Deepwater Horizon surface oil burns led to the unintentional collection of soot particles on the sail of an instrument-bearing, tethered aerostat. This first-ever plume sampling from oil burned at an actual spill provided an opportunistic sample from which to characterize the particles' chemical properties for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic carbon, elemental carbon, metals, and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) and physical properties for size and nanostructure. Thermal-optical analyses indicated that the particulate matter was 93% carbon with 82% being refractory elemental carbon. PAHs accounted for roughly 68μg/g of the PM filter mass and 5mg/kg oil burned, much lower than earlier laboratory based studies. Microscopy indicated that the soot is distinct from more common soot by its aggregate size, primary particle size, and nanostructure. PM-bound metals were largely unremarkable but PCDD/PCDF formation was observed, contrary to other's findings. Levels of lighter PCDD/PCDF and PAH compounds were reduced compared to historical samples, possibly due to volatilization or photo-oxidation.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (E343-04), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. Electronic address: Gullett.brian@epa.gov.
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Gullett
authors.affiliation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (E343-04), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.affiliation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (E343-04), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tabor
authors.affiliation: The Penn State University, John and Willie Leone Family Dept. of Energy and Mineral Engineering Department and the EMS Energy Institute, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Randy Vander
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Wal
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005390:Fires; D060851:Gulf of America; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D053260:Soot / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D053260:Soot; D002244:Carbon
keywords: Burn; Characterization; Deepwater Horizon; Emissions; Oil; Soot