Identification and validation of screening methods for assessment of the sheening potential of embedded oil in sediments

Sediments impacted with petroleum hydrocarbons (oil) may sheen due to ebullition-driven transport or sediment disturbance. The goal of this project was to develop a screening method that can be deployed on a small autonomous watercraft that will provide a reliable indication of sheening potential of embedded oil in shallow sediments. Different potential probes and methods were explored to penetrate sediments and determine sheening potential. Preliminary probe identification focused on development of a standardized laboratory column to test different probes and penetration methods to determine which probe has the highest probability to generate a sheen. Column tests were performed that consisted of different combinations of five crude oil types and a control (no oil embedded), seven probe candidates, two types of oil deposits, two targeted sheen levels, and with or without embedded air. Based on the data collected, a direct push rod with water injection had the greatest potential to generate a sheen.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Authors dc:creator

• Sitler, Katherine, author
• Scalia, Joe, advisor
• Sale, Tom, advisor
• Sutton, Sally, committee member

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.02522

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/212015