title: Footprint, weathering, and persistence of synthetic-base drilling mud olefins in deep-sea sediments following the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
abstract: Olefin-based synthetic-based drilling mud (SBM) was released into the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster in 2010. We studied the composition of neat SBM and, using conventional GC-FID, the extent, concentration, and chemical character of SBM-derived olefins in >3600 seafloor sediments collected in 2010/2011 and 2014. SBM-derived (C14-C20) olefins occurred (up to 10cm deep) within a 6.5km2"footprint" around the well. The olefin concentration in most sediments decreased an order of magnitude between 2010/2011 and 2014, at least in part due to biodegradation, evidenced by the preferential loss C16and C18linear (α- and internal) versus branched olefins. Based on their persistence for 4-years in sediments around the Macondo well, and 13-years near a former unrelated drill site (~62km away), weathered SBM-derived olefins released during the DWH disaster are anticipated to persist in deep-sea sediment for (at least) a comparable duration.
authors.affiliation: NewFields Environmental Forensics Practice, LLC, 300 Ledgewood Pl., Suite 305, Rockland, MA, United States. Electronic address: sstout@newfields.com.
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.affiliation: Payne Environmental Consultants, Inc., 1651 Linda Sue Ln., Encinitas, CA, United States.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Payne
mesh_terms: D000475:Alkenes / Q000032:analysis*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004190:Disasters; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D060851:Gulf of America; D008800:Mexico; D059392:Petroleum Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000475:Alkenes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Alkenes; Biodegradation; Drilling fluid; Macondo; Oil spill; Recovery