Sediment Coring

The council is interested in the long-term input of hydrocarbons into Port Valdez from the operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal (VMT) and other sources. This project began in 2004. Results showed that hydrocarbon levels near the Ballast Water Treatment Facility (BWTF) are much higher than other tested areas in Prince William Sound.

Hydrocarbon input into Port Valdez can come from the everyday operation of the terminal in the form of small spills, but a more significant source is the long-term operation of the BWTF at the terminal. Ballast water from inbound tankers undergoes a treatment process to remove oil, but the water released into the port nevertheless contains residual oil. Presently, approximately 1 barrel (44 gallons) of oil is discharged into the port every day. In the past, this amount has reached over 3 barrels (126 gallons) per day.

PWSRCAC wants to determine if there has been an accumulation of hydrocarbons in sediments in the port from the operation of the VMT and if any varying input trends in hydrocarbon deposition can be identified over the period of the VMT operation. PWSRCAC will also assess the potential environmental impact on the port from a major seismic event that could re-introduce buried contaminated sediments back into the environment. For more information on that project, visit our Seismic Studies of the VMT page.

Final Report, 2006: Port Valdez Sediment Coring Program Final 2004 Monitoring Report (pdf/2.7MB)

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