The Council monitors research and regulatory issues regarding oil spill dispersants. For many years, the Council has been pursuing answers to questions about dispersants’ effectiveness and toxicity in the cold waters of our region, sponsoring studies on: toxicity of dispersed oil, swirling flask laboratory testing, photoenhanced toxicity, test tanks, re-surfacing of dispersed oil, dispersants policy and other related subjects.
See also: Literature Reviews and Database of Research Articles
Council-Sponsored Reports:
| View additional details | Author | Date | Description | View Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review Of The 2019 Alaska North Slope Oil Properties Relevant To Environmental Assessment And Prediction | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | March 1, 2023 | This report titled ‘2019 Alaska North Slope Crude Oil Properties’ by Dr. Merv Fingas, is based on a lab analysis of Alaska North Slope crude oil that was collected in … | |
| Dispersants Literature Database – Updated February 2023 – DOWNLOADS IN EXCEL FORMAT | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | February 21, 2023 | The Council has sponsored what we believe is one of the most complete compilations of articles written on oil spill dispersant research. This database is available as a Microsoft Excel … | |
| PWSRCAC Dispersant Use Position Supporting Materials | Nuka Research Planning Group LLC | January 27, 2023 | These materials were developed to aid in communicating the rationale for the Council’s position that was adopted in September 2022 by elaborating on each of the four sections of the … | |
| Review of Literature on Oil Spill Dispersants: 2021-2023 | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | January 1, 2023 | This is a summary report on dispersants and dispersant research. This is an update to the previous detailed summary which was prepared in 2021, and covers the literature published since … | |
| Dispersant Use Position Update – Report On Board Of Directors Workshops | October 4, 2022 | This report is an interim deliverable to the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) under contract 9550.22.01 to support the Council’s intention to update their position on the … | ||
| PWSRCAC’s Position On The Use Of Chemical Dispersants | PWSRCAC | September 26, 2022 | The Council’s position on the use of chemical dispersants. | |
| A Summary Of Dispersants Research 2017-2021 | Merv Fingas | September 27, 2021 | This is an update report on dispersants and dispersant research. Detailed reviews were carried out for Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2017. | |
| September 2017 Berth 5 Oil Spill – Sampling Results and Interpretations | James R. Payne, William B. Driskell | April 7, 2018 | On 21 September 2017, an estimated 150 gallons of Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil were accidentally released during crude oil loading arm leak testing at Berth 5 of the … | |
| A Review Of Literature Related To Human Health And Oil Spill Dispersants, 2014-2018 | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | April 1, 2018 | The Deepwater Horizon spill marked the first time that the effects of dispersants on human health were studied extensively and directly. This report summarizes the studies and their findings. | |
| Circulation in Port Valdez, Alaska | Prince William Sound Science Center, Shelton M. Gay III | March 22, 2018 | The Prince William Sound Science Center conducted a study of circulation for the Council to describe and quantify the currents within Port Valdez, Alaska, and to address concerns regarding the … | |
| A Review Of Literature Related To Oil Spill Dispersants, September 2017 | Elise DeCola, Merv Fingas, Nuka Research Planning Group LLC, Spill Science | September 1, 2017 | This report summarizes the literature related to oil spill dispersants through May 2017. It synthesizes key findings to address issues of relevance to the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens? Advisory … | |
| A Review of Literature Related to Oil Spill Dispersants | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | June 17, 2017 | This report is a review of the literature on oil spill dispersants published through May 2017. | |
| Dispersants Monitoring Protocol – July 2016 | PWSRCAC | July 1, 2016 | Prince William Sound Dispersants Monitoring Protocol: Implementation and Enhancement of SMART (Special Monitoring of Applied Response Technologies) The primary purpose of dispersant monitoring is to provide feedback about effectiveness and … | |
| Review of the 2015 Alaska North Slope Oil Properties Relevant to Environmental Assessment and Prediction | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | June 8, 2016 | This paper is a summary of several oil parameters and the spill behavior of the 2015 Alaskan North Slope sample as provided to Environment Canada. Environment Canada analyzed the sample … | |
| Physical Properties, Behaviour and Composition of Alaskan North Slope 2015 Crude Oil | Bruce Hollebone, Environment Canada | May 11, 2016 | Results from an analysis of the properties of Alaska North Slope crude oil collected in 2015. | |
| Hydrocarbon Research Internship | Seth Suydam | May 1, 2016 | Report by Council intern Seth Suydam about samples of Alaska North Slope crude oil (ANS), obtained by the Council in 2015 and sent to Environment Canada for analytical testing. Testing … | |
| PWSRCAC Comments On Subpart J April 16 2015 | PWSRCAC | April 16, 2015 | Letter to EPA with comments on 40 CFR Parts 110 and 300, National Contingency Plan Subparts A and J | |
| Key Issues And Summary Comments On Subpart J | PWSRCAC | April 1, 2015 | A brief summary and analysis of the key issues identified by the Council regarding proposed changes to Subpart J. | |
| Toxicology Of Chemical Dispersants In Alaskan Whales 2014 | John Pierce Wise, University of Southern Maine | November 7, 2014 | There have been two major oil crises in United States history, the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig explosion in the Gulf of … | |
| A Review Of Literature Related To Oil Spill Dispersants, 2011-2014 | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | June 7, 2014 | This report is a review of the literature on oil spill dispersants published from 2011 to June 2014. The report identifies and focuses on recent advances in dispersant effectiveness, toxicity, … | |
| Cover Letter To Stakeholders On Changes To Dispersant Use Guidelines – November 11 2013 | PWSRCAC | November 11, 2013 | Letter to stakeholders about concerns regarding changes to dispersant use authorization.? | |
| Discussion Points For Public Meetings On Changes To Dispersant Use Guidelines | PWSRCAC | November 11, 2013 | Discussion Points For Public Meetings On Changes To Dispersant Use Guidelines | |
| Why PWSRCAC Does Not Support The Use Of Chemical Dispersants – November 2013 | PWSRCAC | November 7, 2013 | This document was prepared to supplement a November 2013 PWSRCAC outreach document to support public comments on the draft ARRT dispersants plan under public review at that time. | |
| Overview Of Changes To Dispersant Guidelines – November 11 2013 | PWSRCAC | November 1, 2013 | A summary of dispersant use issues to support member organization participation at the ARRT?s public meetings.? | |
| Toxicity Effects Of Dispersed Alaska North Slope Oil On Fish – Final Report, March 2013 | Bedford Institute of Oceanography Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Centre for Offshore Oil Gas and Energy Research | March 1, 2013 | This report describes the experiments conducted by research groups located at the St. Andrews Biological Station, Gulf Fisheries Centre, Bedford Institute of Oceanography; and Queen’s University. Environmental conditions, such as … | |
| Toxicity Effects Of Dispersed Alaska North Slope Oil On Fish – Final Report, March 2013- Appendices A-H | Bedford Institute of Oceanography Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Centre for Offshore Oil Gas and Energy Research | March 1, 2013 | Appendices for report “Toxicity Effects Of Dispersed Alaska North Slope Oil On Fish – Final Report, March 2013” | |
| Ingestion And Effects Of Dispersed Oil On Marine Zooplankton – January 2013 | Richard Lee, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography | January 1, 2013 | This review discusses the ingestion and effects of dispersed oil on zooplankton and fish larvae, the different types of surfactants used in dispersants with possible effects on zooplankton, gaps in … | |
| July 20 2012 PWSRCAC Dispersant Guidelines Comment | PWSRCAC | July 20, 2012 | Letter to ARRT Dispersants Working Group with comments on Revision 3 Draft Annex F dated July 15, 2012 | |
| Saline Layering In Prince William Sound | Musgrave Oceanographic Analysis | October 7, 2010 | From profiles of conductivity, temperature and depth provided by Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC) to Musgrave Oceanographic Analysis (MOA), we analyzed the mixed layer depth (MLD), the potential energy … | |
| Observations, Questions, And Recommendations Regarding Use Of Dispersants On The BP Deepwater Horizon Spill | PWSRCAC | September 16, 2010 | Observations, questions, and recommendations from the council regarding the subject of unprecedented dispersants use in the Gulf of Mexico by BP. | |
| Observations, Questions, and Recommendations Regarding Use of Dispersants on the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill | PWSRCAC's Scientific Advisory Committee | September 15, 2010 | White paper outlining concerns regarding the first response use of dispersants in the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. | |
| Stakeholder Comments to the ARRT Science & Technology Committee regarding Revision of the Dispersant Guidelines | John S. French Ph.D., Joseph Banta, Linda Swiss | July 1, 2009 | Stakeholder Comments to the ARRT Science & Technology Committee regarding Revision of the Dispersant Guidelines | |
| A Review of Literature Related to Oil Spill Dispersants Especially Relevant to Alaska 2002-2008 | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | September 8, 2008 | The literature on oil spill dispersants between 2001 and 2008 is extensive, consisting of more than 300 papers. | |
| A Review of Literature Related to Oil Spill Dispersants 1997-2008 | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | September 1, 2008 | This report is a review of the literature on oil spill dispersants published from 1997 to August, 2008. The report identifies and focusses on recent advances in dispersant effectiveness, toxicity, … | |
| Non-mechanical Response Gap Estimate for Two Operating Areas of Prince William Sound – 2008 | Nuka Research Planning Group LLC, Tim Robertson | April 15, 2008 | The ‘response gap’ is the window between the upper limits of the response system (in terms of environmental conditions) and the conditions at which Hinchinbrook Entrance is closed to laden … | |
| OHMSETT Trials Appendix A3 | James R. Payne, Payne Environmental Consultants | December 15, 2006 | Appendix to report: “Field Notes and Critical Observations from the OHMSETT Heavy Oil Dispersant Trials” | |
| OHMSETT Trials Appendix A2 | James R. Payne, Payne Environmental Consultants | December 15, 2006 | Appendix to report: “Field Notes and Critical Observations from the OHMSETT Heavy Oil Dispersant Trials” | |
| OHMSETT Trials Appendix A1 | James R. Payne, Payne Environmental Consultants | December 12, 2006 | Appendix to report: “Field Notes and Critical Observations from the OHMSETT Heavy Oil Dispersant Trials” | |
| Report On The Non-Mechanical Response For The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill | Dan Gilson | August 30, 2006 | This 2006 Council report outlines the non-mechanical response to the T/V Exxon Valdez grounding and subsequent oil spill. It includes a description of the contingency plan structure, a description of … | |
| Observers’ Report: MMS Cold Water Dispersant Tests, Ohmsett Testing Facility | Elise DeCola, Environment Canada, Environmental Technology Centre, Merv Fingas, Nuka Research Planning Group LLC | June 3, 2006 | This report, which was prepared for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens? Advisory Council (PWSRCAC), contains the authors? observations from four days of cold water dispersant testing at the Ohmsett … | |
| Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Testing in OHMSETT February to March 2006 | Elise DeCola, Environment Canada, Environmental Technology Centre, Merv Fingas, Nuka Research Planning Group LLC | May 1, 2006 | This paper is a review of dispersant testing at OHMSETT. These tests were designed to measure the effectiveness of dispersant on Alaskan oils at low temperatures. The oil and water … | |
| Stability And Resurfacing Of Dispersed Oil – Summary of Report | PWSRCAC's Scientific Advisory Committee | November 7, 2005 | This is a summary by the Council’s Scientific Advisory Committee of the report “Stability and Resurfacing of Dispersed Oil” by Merv Fingas. | |
| Stability And Resurfacing Of Dispersed Oil | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | November 1, 2005 | There is an extensive body of literature on surfactants and interfacial chemistry, which includes an abundance of experimental data on the topic as well as many theoretical approaches to it. | |
| A Survey Of Tank Facilities For Testing Oil Spill Dispersants | Environmental Technology Centre, Merv Fingas | May 1, 2005 | This report is a survey of tank facilities that could be used for testing oil spill dispersants. The report begins with considerations for tank testing, followed by a list of … | |
| Review Of Oil Spill Responses on Moderately-Sized Spills in US Waters from 1993-2000 | Elise DeCola, Nuka Research Planning Group LLC | March 28, 2005 | To better understand the various nearshore oil spill response technique efficiency rates, the Council commissioned Nuka Research and Planning, LLC to review moderately sized spills in the United States between … | |
| Dispersants, Salinity and Prince William Sound | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | December 7, 2004 | This paper is a summary of the effects of water salinity on chemical dispersion, especially those effects related to effectiveness. | |
| Heated Oil and Under-reported Dispersants Volumes Mar MMS/Exxon Cold Water Dispersant Tests at Ohmsett | PWSRCAC | July 14, 2004 | The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) discovered that the ANS crude oil used in most of the 2002 Dispersant Effectiveness Tests in Cold Water conducted at Ohmsett … | |
| Weather Windows For Oil Spill Countermeasures | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | January 28, 2004 | Weather is the single most important factor in choosing and obtaining success with oil spill countermeasures, such as mechanical recovery, chemical dispersants, and in-situ burning. | |
| Field Notes and Critical Observations from the OHMSETT Heavy Oil Dispersant Trials | James R. Payne, Payne Environmental Consultants | October 1, 2003 | This report contains the transcriptions of tape-recorded notes and observations completed by Dr. James Payne during a PWSRCAC-sponsored field audit of the 13-16 October 2003 heavy fuel oil dispersant tests … | |
| Review of Monitoring Protocols for Dispersant Effectiveness | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | August 1, 2003 | This paper is a review of field monitoring of the effectiveness of oil spill dispersants. | |
| Critical Evaluation of Chemical Response to Oil Spills: Ecological Research Forum (CROSERF) Test Methods for Oil Dispersant Toxicity Testing under Subarctic Conditions | Mace G. Barron, P.E.A.K. Research | January 1, 2003 | The Alaska Region Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan requires that decisions regarding chemical dispersants use in oil spill response in Alaska consider the potential impacts of chemically dispersed … | |
| A White Paper on Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Testing in Large Tanks | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | November 1, 2002 | This white paper is a perspective on testing the effectiveness of oil spill dispersants in large tanks. Literature that relates to testing methodology is reviewed. | |
| A Review of Literature Related to Oil Spill Dispersants Especially Relevant to Alaska, 1997-2002 | Merv Fingas, Spill Science | March 7, 2002 | This paper is a review of the literature on oil spill dispersants published from 1997 to January, 2002. As in the literature before this time period, it was found that … | |
| Report on Visit to OHMSETT to Observe Exxon/MMS Cold-Water Dispersant Tests | PWSRCAC, Stan Jones | March 1, 2002 | This report gives an account of Cold-Water Dispersant tests that took place at the Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank in Leonardo, New Jersey in March of 2002. | |
| Photoenhanced Toxicity of Aqueous Phase and Chemically-Dispersed Weathered Alaska North Slope Crude Oil to Pacific Herring Eggs and Larvae | Mace G. Barron, P.E.A.K. Research | February 11, 2002 | This study investigated the photoenhanced toxicity of weathered ANS to eggs and larvae of the Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi), and the relative toxicity of chemically-dispersed and aqueous phase oil. | |
| The Effectiveness of Corexit 9527 and 9500 in Dispersing Fresh, Weathered, and Emulsion of Alaska North Slope Crude under Subarctic Conditions | Adam Moles, Jeffrey W. Short, Larry Holland | April 4, 2001 | The effect of various states of weather: no weather, 205 evaporatively weathered, and emulsification on the effectiveness of oil dispersants Corexit 9527 and Corexit 9550 in dispersing Alaska North Slope … |
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