Dispersants Working Group

The 2005 National Research Council report entitled Understanding Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects notes that there are "significant gaps in the knowledge needed to make sound decisions regarding the use of dispersant in areas that [are] nearshore, shallow, or with restricted flushing rates." It also recommends that "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Management Service (MMS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), relevant state agencies, industry, and appropriate international partners should work together to establish an integrated research plan which focuses on collecting and disseminating peer-reviewed information about key aspects of dispersant use in a scientifically robust, but environmentally meaningful context."

The Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC), a partnership between NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration and the University of New Hampshire (UNH), convened a meeting of many of these entities in July 2005 to discuss the possibility of forming an integrated approach to dispersants research. The participants decided to form a Dispersants Working Group (DWG) and agreed to participate in a coordinated research plan in which:

  • Each participating entity will maintain its autonomy;
  • Requests for proposals (RFPs), Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), other funding announcements and all research results will be shared among the DWG and made public, where possible.

The CRRC agreed to coordinate DWG activities and to provide the mechanism by which reports, RFPs and other elements of interest are distributed and shared among the entities and the oil spill community. Hence, the development of this collaborative website.

CRRC: Updates on Ongoing Research at Clean Gulf 2024
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Combined Meeting Notes

Dispersants Working Group at IOSC 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Meeting Notes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Meeting Notes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2018
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Meeting Notes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2017
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Meeting Notes

Dispersants Working Group at IOSC 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
Meeting Notes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2016
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Meeting Notes

Dispersant Working Group meeting at Clean Gulf 2015
Wednesday November 11, 2015

Dispersant Working Group meeting at Clean Gulf 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Dispersant Working Group meeting at IOSC 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf Conference 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013,Tampa FL
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012, New Orleans, LA
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2011

Date: Wednesday 30November
Location: Room 002A at the Convention Center
Time: 7:00 pm CST
(In conjunction with Clean Gulf in San Antonio, TX - Nov 30 - Dec 1, 2011)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at IOSC 2011

Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Time: 6:30 pm PDT
Room: Hawthorne/Sellwood Rooms
(In conjunction with IOSC in Portland, OR)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf 2010

Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 6:30 pm ET
Room 5-6 (conference center)
(In conjunction with Clean Gulf in Tampa Bay, FL)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf - 2009

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 6:30 CST
Room 203 (conference center)
(in conjunction with Clean Gulf in New Orleans, LA)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at Clean Gulf

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 @ 4:30pm
(in conjunction with Clean Gulf in San Antonio, TX)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group at IOSC

Monday, May 5, 2008
Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Riverscape Room @7:30-9:00 pm
(in conjunction with International Oil Spill Conference in Savnnah GA)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group

Friday, November 16, 2007
11:30am - 1:00pm ET
(in conjunction with Clean Gulf, Tampa, FL)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group

Meeting and Conference Call
October 11, 2007
Anchorage Downtown Marriott
(in conjunction with the International Oil & Ice Workshop)
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group

Conference Call
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group

Conference Call
June 8, 2006
Meeting Minutes

Dispersants Working Group

September 22, 2005
UNH, Durham, NH
Meeting Minutes

CRRC (Coastal Response Research Center)
No funding RFP posted at this time.

Alaska DEC Prevention & Emergency Response Program
No funding RFP posted at this time.

API (American Petroleum Institute)
No funding RFP posted at this time.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
Oil Spill Response Research and Decommissioning-Broad Agency Announcements

CA OSPR (California Dept of Fish and Game, Office of Spill Prevention and Response)
No funding RFP posted at this time.

CIRCAC (Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council)
No funding RFP posted at this time.

ExxonMobil Institute
No funding RFP posted at this time.

ICCOPR (Interagency Coordinating Committee on Pollution Research)

NOAA OR&R (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Response and Restoration)

OSRI (Prince William Sound, Oil Spill Recovery Institute)

Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council

Research Planning, Inc.
No funding RFP posted at this time.

Texas General Land Office - general funding information

USCG (United States Coast Guard)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - general funding information

CRRC (Coastal Response Research Center)

www.crrc.unh.edu
Nancy Kinner

nancy.kinner@unh.edu


API (American Petroleum Institute)

http://api-ec.api.org/
Colin Frazier

frazierc@api.org


Applied Research Associates, Inc.

http://www.ara.com/
Paul Panetta

ppanetta@ara.com


BOEM(Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)

http://www.boem.gov/
Pat Roscigno

Pasquale.Roscigno@BOEM.gov


BSEE(Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement)

http://www.bsee.gov/
Lori Medley

Lori.Medley@bsee.gov


CA OSPR (California Dept of Fish and Game, Office of Spill Prevention and Response)

www.dfg.ca.gov/ospr
Ellen Faurot-Daniels

efaurotd@ospr.dfg.ca.gov 


CEDRE

http://www.cedre.fr/index_gb.html
Stephane LeFloch

stephane.le.floch@cedre.fr


Chevron

http://www.chevron.com/
Jim Myers

myersje@chevron.com


CIRCAC (Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council)

http://www.circac.org/index.html
Susan Saupe
saupe@circac.org


Environment Canada

http://www.etc-cte.ec.gc.ca/
Bruce Hollebone

bruce.hollebone@ec.gc.ca


ExxonMobil Institute

http://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/community.aspx
Thomas Coolbaugh
thomas.s.coolbaugh@exxonmobil.com


NOAA OR&R (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Response and Restoration)

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/
Scott Lundgren

scott.lundgren@noaa.gov
Lisa DiPinto

lisa.dipinto@noaa.gov


OSRI (Prince William Sound, Oil Spill Recovery Institute)

www.pws-osri.org
W. Scott Pegau
wspegau@pwssc.gen.ak.us


Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council

http://www.pwsrcac.org/
Joe Banta
banta@pwsrcac.org


Research Planning Inc

http://www.researchplanning.com/
Jacqui Michel
jmichel@researchplanning.com


Oil Spill Response Ltd

http://www.oilspillresponse.com
Paul Schuler

paulschuler@oilspillresponse.com


Shell Global Solutions

http://www.shell.com/
Victoria Broje

victoria.broje@shell.com


SINTEF

http://www.sintef.no/
Per Daling

per.daling@sintef.no


Texas General Land Office

http://www.glo.state.tx.us/oilspill/
Steve Buschang

steven.buschang@GLO.STATE.TX.US


U.S. Coast Guard

http://www.uscg.mil/


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

www.epa.gov

Research

Robyn Conmy
conmy.robyn@epa.gov


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OEM Regulatory and Policy Development Division

http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/index.htm
Vanessa Principe

principe.vanessa@epa.gov
Greg Wilson
wilson.gregory@epa.gov

Effectiveness of Dispersants: Topic 1 - Chemical Parameters that Influence Overall Effectiveness

 Completed

Topic:Project Title/PI: Completion Date: Funding Agency:

Literature synthesis on physical and chemical properties of oils that determine the overall effectiveness of dispersants

1Dispersants: An Electronic Bibliography on Effectiveness, Technological Advances, and Toxicological Effects.
Conover of LUMCON Library, LSU
 Complete Louisiana OSRADP
      
1Stability and the Resurfacing of Dispersed Oil.
Fingas of Environment Canada
 Complete (2005) PWS RCAC
      
1A Review of the Emulsification Tendencies and Long Term Petroleum Trends of Alaska North Slope Oils and the White Paper on Emulsification of ANS Crude Oil Spilled in Valdez.
Fingas of Environment Canada
 Complete (2005) PWS RCAC
      
1Technology Assessment of the Use of Dispersants on Spills from MMS-Regulated OCS Facilities.
SL Ross Envrionmental Research Ltd.
 Complete (2001) MMS/BOEMRE/BOEM
      
1Assessment of the Use of Dispersants on Marine Oil Spills in California.
SL Ross Envrionmental Research Ltd.
 Complete (2002) MMS/BOEMRE/BOEM
      
1Chemical Characteristics of an Oil and the Relationship to Dispersant Effectiveness
Emergencies Science Division, Environment Canada
 Complete (2004) MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Identification of Window of Opportunity for Chemical Dispersants on Gulf of Mexico Crude Oils
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete (2007) MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Understanding Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects
JIP with National Academy of Science
 Complete JIP members (MMS, NOAA, API, USCG)
      
1IMO Guidelines (Updating) Complete (2012) International Maritime Organization

Refining existing datasets to correlate physical and chemical properties of different types of oil with dispersibility

1Effectiveness by use of dispersant on various oils at relevant weathering degree and ice concentrations.
Task leader - SINTEF, Norway
 Complete (2008) Shell
      
1Wave Tank Studies on Dispersant Effectiveness as a Function of Energy Dissipation Rate and Particle Size Distribution.
Lee, Venosa of Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1Effects of Dispersants on Oil-SPM Aggregation and Fate in US Coastal Waters.
Khelifa, Fingas of Environment Canada
 Complete (2008) CRRC
      
1Development of a Numerical Algorithm to Compute the Effects of Breaking Waves on Surface Oil Spilled at Sea: Dispersion and Submergence/Over-Washing as Extremes of a Theoretical Continuum.
Reed, Daling, Johansen of SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Norway
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1Measurements and Modeling of Size Distributions, Settling and Dispersions (turbulent diffusion) Rates of Oil Droplets in Turbulent Flows.
Katz, Gopalan of The Johns Hopkins University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1EMSA - Project: "Decision Support Tool for Dispersant Use."
SINTEF, CEDRE, Alun Lewis Ltd
 Complete (2006) SINTEF/EMSA/CEDRE/Lewis
      
1Correlating Results of Dispersants Effectiveness at Ohmsett with Identical At-Sea trial: Effects of Oil Viscosity and Dispersant to Oil Ratios.
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete (2005) MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Analysis of IFO-180 and IFO-380 Oil Properties for Dispersant Windo of Opportunity.
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete (2004) MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Correlating Results of Ohmsett Dispersant Test with At-Sea Trials: Workshop to Coordinate Publications and Prioritize Follow-up Research.
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Mitigating Oil Spills from Offshore and Gas Activities by Enhancement of Oil-Mineral Aggregate Formation
DFO Canada - Center for Offshore Oil & Gas Environmental Research
  Complete (2009) MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      

Protocols for creating weathered oil/emulsions

1"Harmonization of SINTEF / CEDRE Methodologies." Complete SINTEF/ CEDRE
      
1Development of a Method to Produce Large Quantities of Realistic Water-In-Oil Emulsions for Use in Evaluating Oil Spill Response Equipment and Methods. Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd. Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Workshop to Determine the Scope of an Experimental Oil Spill in Pack Ice in Halifax, Canada, November 1-2, 2005
Mr. Steve Potter, S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd and Mr. David Dickins, DF Dickins and Associates
 Complete (2005) MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      

Development of standard oils with known dispersibility over a range of variables, for use in comparisons with other oils

1Wave Tank Studies on Dispersant Effectiveness as a Function of Energy Dissipation Rate and Particle Size Distribution.
Dr. Kenneth Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada and Dr. Albert Venosa, US Environmental Protection Agency
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1Development of a Numerical Algorithm to Compute the Effects of Breaking Waves on Surface Oil Spilled at Sea: Dispersion and Submergence/Over-Washing as Extremes of a Theoretical Continuum.
Reed, Daling, Johansen of SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Norway
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1Measurements and Modeling of Size Distributions, Settling and Dispersions (turbulent diffusion) Rates of Oil Droplets in Turbulent Flows.
Katz, Gopalan of The Johns Hopkins University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1"Harmonization of SINTEF / CEDRE Methodologies"   SINTEF/ CEDRE
      

Development and intercomparison studies of methods for measuring droplet size distributions and energy dissipation rate in different dispersant effectiveness test systems

1Wave Tank Studies on Dispersant Effectiveness as a Function of Energy Dissipation Rate and Particle Size Distribution.
Lee, Venosa of Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1Development of a Numerical Algorithm to Compute the Effects of Breaking Waves on Surface Oil Spilled at Sea: Dispersion and Submergence/Over-Washing as Extremes of a Theoretical Continuum.
Reed, Daling, Johansen of SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Norway
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1Measurements and Modeling of Size Distributions, Settling and Dispersions (turbulent diffusion) Rates of Oil Droplets in Turbulent Flows.
Katz, Gopalan of The Johns Hopkins University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
 Complete (2009) CRRC
      
1"JIP-Coastal Spill Contingency-Lifetime of Weathered Oils Using Flume Basin."   SINTEF/ CEDRE
      
1Laboratory Testing to Determine Dispersion Predictability of the Baffled Flask Test (BFT) and Swirling Flask Test (SWT).
Dr. Albert Venosa, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Dr. George Sorial, University of Cincinnati
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett: Phase 2 - Validation of Small-Scale Laboratory Test Dispersant Effectiveness Ranking.
Mr. Randy Belore/Dr. Ken Trudel, S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Analysis of Dispersant Effectiveness of Heavy Fuel Oils and Weathered Crude Oils at Two Different Temperatures Using the Baffled Flask Test.
Dr. Albert Venosa, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Dr. George Sorial, University of Cincinnati
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      

Design and implement a research program to fill identified data gaps in chemical dispersant

12005 Research & Development Needs For Making Decisions Regarding Dispersing Oil.
CRRC Workshop Report
 Complete CRRC
      
1"JIP: Oil in Ice-Project4: Dispersant Effectiveness in Ice"  Complete Norwegian Reseach Council/ JIP
      
1Using Dispersants to Test and Evaluate the Effectiveness of Dispersants in Cold Water and Broken Ice.
Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
 Ohmsett 2003 Cold Water Dispersant Effectiveness Experiments.
Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Dispersant Effectiveness Testing on Heavy OCS Crude Oils at Ohmsett.
Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1The Effect of Warming Viscous Oils Prior to Discharge on Dispersant Performance.
Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Calm Sea Application of Dispersants.
Dr. Ken Trudel and Randy Belore, S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Chemical Dispersibility of OCS Crude Oils in Non-Breaking Waves; Part 1 Determining the Limiting Oil Viscosity for Dispersion in Non-Breaking Waves.
Dr. Ken Trudel and Mr. Randy Belore, S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.; and Mr. Alun Lewis, Alun Lewis Oil Spill Consultancy
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Research at Ohmsett on the Effectiveness of Chemical Dispersants on Alaskan Oils in Cold Water.
Dr. Ken Trudel and Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Laboratory Study to Compare the Effectiveness of Chemical Dispersants When Applied Dilute versus Neat.
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Changes with Dispersant Effectiveness with Extended Exposure in Calm Seas
S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd and Alun Lewis Oil Spill Consultancy
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Development of a Training Package on the Use of Chemical Dispersants for Ohmsett - The National Oil Spill Response Test Facility.
S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett.
S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett - S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.Literature Review on Chemical Treating Agents in Fresh and Brackish Water.
Mr. Randy Belore, S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd.
  Complete MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
1Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett: Phase 2 - Evaluation of Dispersant Effectiveness in Low-Dose, Repeat Applications.
Mr. Randy Belore/Dr. Ken Trudel, S.L. Ross Environmental Research. Ltd.
   Completed MMS/BOEMRE
      
1Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett: Phase 2 - Validation of Small-Scale Laboratory Test Dispersant Effectiveness Ranking.
Mr. Randy Belore/Dr. Ken Trudel, S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd
   Completed MMS/BOEMRE
      
1Review of Ohmsett Cold Water Testing.
Fingas, DeCola, Environment Canada
   Completed PWS RCAC
      
1Laboratory Study of the Effects of Time on the Effectiveness of Dispersants.
Dr. Per Daling, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry
   Completed BSEE/SINTEF
      
1Cold Water Dispersant Effectiveness Experiments on Alaskan Crude Oils at Ohmsett—The National Oil Spill Response Test Facility.
Joseph Mullin, MMS and SL Ross
   Completed MMS/BOEMRE
      
1Mid-Scale Tank Research Using Oil Herding Surfactants to Thicken Oil Slicks in Broken Ice.
Mr. Ian Buist, S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd.
   Completed MMS/BOEMRE
      
1Heavy Oil Dispersant Research
S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd.
   Completed BOEM
      
1Baffled Flask Dispersant Effectiveness Testing
Dr. Al Venosa
  Completed BOEM
1Weathering and Dispersability of the Macondo MC252 crude oil
Dr. Per Daling, SINTEF
  Completed SINTEF
1Field Assessment and Laboratory Study of the Dispersability of DWH Surface Emulsions Completed (2010) SINTEF report: A 16062, ISNB 978-82-14-05004-2

Effectiveness of Dispersants: Topic 2- Chemical Parameters that Influence Overall Effectiveness

Topic:Project Title/PI: Completion Date: Funding Agency:

Determination of the factors that represent realistic operational conditions for wave tank test systems

2JIP-Coastal Spill Contingency-Lifetime of Weathered Oils. Completed, 2008 SINTEF
      

Improving models of dispersed oil transport in the upper mixed layer

2Dispersion and Submergence as Extremes of a Theoretical Continuum: Development of Numerical Algorithms to Compute Interaction of Surface Oil with Breaking Waves
Dr. Mark Reed, Per Snorre Daling, and Øistein Johansen, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry
 Completed, 2009 CRRC/ SINTEF
      

Update SMART monitoring protocols

2Field Verification of Oil Spill Fate & Transport Modeling and Linking CODAR Observation System Data with SIMAP Predictions
Payne, French-McCay, Terrill, Nordhaussen, Payne Environmental Consultants, Inc.
 Completed, 2007 CRRC
      
2The NEBAJEX (MUMM /SINTEF /CEDRE)  Complete SINTEF/ MUMM/ CEDRE
      
2Upgrade of SMART Dispersant Effectiveness Monitoring Protocol
S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Complete MMS/BOEMRE/USCG
      

Assessment of the effects of dispersant application on subsequent mechanical recovery of undispersed oil

2Mechanical Recovery of Oil Treated with Dispersant. Complete SINTEF/ Norwegian Authorities
      
2Investigation of the Ability to Effectively Recover Oil Following Dispersant Application
S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
 Completed, 2007 MMS/BOEMRE
      

Optimizing the operational effectiveness of dispersant applications

2Improve and Adapt Existing Dispersant Application Technology for Oil in Ice and Low Temperatures.
Task leader Sintef
 Completed, 2010 

Shell/JIP/SINTEF

 

      
2Development of New Application System for Large Response Vessels. Completed, 2006 SINTEF
      
2JIP-Oil in Ice: Development of Boat Application Systems Use in Ice-Covered Areas. Completed, 2009 SINTEF/JIP
      
2Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett: Phase 2 - Evaluation of Dispersant Effectiveness in Low-Dose, Repeat Applications.
Mr. Randy Belore/Dr. Ken Trudel, S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd
 Completed, 2009 BSEE
      
2Laboratory Study of the Effects of Time on the Effectiveness of Dispersants
Dr. Per Daling, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry
  Complete SINTEF
      
2Cold Water Dispersant Effectiveness Experiments on Alaskan Crude Oils at Ohmsett-The National Oil spill Response Test Facility
Joseph Mullin and S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd
  Complete MMS/BOEMRE
      
2Plume analysis including the characterization of oil droplet formation from sub-sea injection of dispersants by the modification of BIO/USEPA wave tank to include sub-surface dispersant injection  Complete Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada;
      
2Gulf of Mexico (field and laboratory studies on oil biodegradation rates and the interaction of chemically dispersed oil with suspended sediment in nearshore waters)  Complete Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada; NRC
      
2Arctic research-field trials and dispersant testing in ocean and ice  Complete Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada;PERD (Panel of Energy Research and Development); ESRF (Environmental Studies Research Fund)
      

Evaluation of new technologies for monitoring dispersant effectiveness in the field

2Upgrading of Instrumentation at SINTEF and Testing During Field Trials. Completed, 2006 SINTEF/Statoil/NOFO
      
2Use of Natural Oil Seeps for Evaluation of NEAT SWEEP Dispersant Application Technology and Intercalibration of NOAA SMART Protocols with Measurement of Dissolved-Phase and Dispersed Oil Droplet concentrations in the Water Column
Dr. James Payne, Payne Environmental Consultants, Inc.
 Completed, 2004 CRRC
2Sub-Surface Injection of Dispersants - Using Meso-scale Tower Basin
Per Brandvik, SINTEF
 Completed 2013 SINTEF

Effectiveness of Dispersants: Topic 3 - Modeling Integration of Chemical, Operational and Hydrodynamic Parameters

Topic:Project Title/PI: Completion Date: Funding Agency:

Workshop on requirements for integrating oil toxicity and biological data with oil fate and transport models

3Innovative Coastal Modeling for Decision Support: Integrating Physical, Biological, and Toxicological Models
CRRC Workshop Report
 Completed, 2006 CRRC
      
3Oil Spill Modeling Working Group - CRRC  Completed CRRC
      
3EIF Acute Project. (Statoil, Hydro, SINTEF, DnV)  Completed SINTEF/Statoil/Hydro
      

Improved models to predict dispersant effectiveness and oil fate

3Development of a Numerical Algorithm to Compute the Effects of Breaking Waves on Surface Oil Spilled at Sea: Dispersion and Submergence/Over-Washing as Extremes of a Theoretical Continuum.
Reed, Daling, Johansen, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Norway
 Completed, 2009 CRRC
      
3AMOS (JIP): Development of OSCAR-3DPlume. 2004 SINTEF/JIP
      
3Validation of the Two Models Developed to Predict the Window of Opportunity for Dispersant Use in the Gulf of Mexico.
Khelifa, Environment Canada
 Completed, 2011 MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
      
3Development of OSCAR-3D Plume: For Use of Dispersant in Shallow Water. 2004 SINTEF/Exxon/Mobil

 

Effects of Dispersants: Topic 4 - Fate of Oil and Dispersed Oil in the Water Column and Other Habitats

Topic:Project Title/PI: Completion Date: Funding Agency:

Understanding the interactions of chemically dispersed oil droplets with suspended particulate matter (SPM) and how these processes affect the rate of oil biodegradation and ultimate fate of dispersed oil

4Effects of Dispersants on Oil-SPM Aggregation and Fate in US Coastal Waters.
Khelifa, Fingas, Environment Canada
 Completed, 2008 CRRC
      
4Fate and Effects of Dispersed Oil in Shallow Water 2010 SINTEF/JIP
      
4Fate of Dispersed Oil - mechanically vs. chemically
Alf Melbye, SINTEF
 Ongoing 2010-2013 SINTEF
      
4Using the application of advanced genomics techniques to monitor changes in the structure and function of microbial communities as a means to monitor the impact of oil, the efficacy of countermeasures and habitat recovery   Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography; Charles Greer, National Research Council of Canada
      
4Studies on oil mineral aggregates in the presence and absence of chemical oil dispersants   Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography
      

Assessment of the degree, rate, and consequences of surfactant leaching from surface slicks and chemically dispersed oil droplets

4Petroleum Environmental Research Forum (PERF) Project--Dispersant Effectiveness after Extended Contact.
Resby (SINTEF), Nedwed (ExxonMobil)
Understanding the Effects of Time and Energy on the Effectiveness of Dispersants
 Completed, 2007 ExxonMobil, Total, Statoil, US MMS/BOEMRE, OSRL, Alaska Clean Seas, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (Shell operated), Dept of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, TX General Land Office
      
4Fate and Effects of Emulsions Product after Oil Spills in Estuaries
Dr. Richard Lee, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
 Completed, 2004 CRRC
      
4SERF-JIP: Effectiveness of Dispersants after Extended Contact Time with Oil. (SINTEF /CEDRE cooperation) 2007 SINTEF/CEDRE
      

Reconciliation of the differences between the empirical evaporation approach and traditional pseudo-component approach

4Field Validations of Model Predictions. 2000 SINTEF
      

Quantification of the biodegradation kinetics of dispersed oil

4Several Recent Research Projects at SINTEF within biodegradation of WAF and dispersed oil 2006 SINTEF/JIP/Norwegian Research Council
      
4Biodegradation of Chemically Dispersed Oil: an Ecosystem Approach
(AEA Technology)
 Completed, 2001 MMS/BOEMRE
      
4Droplet Size and Biodegradation of Naturally and Chemically Dispersion of Macondo Crude Oil
Odd Brakstad, Per Daling - SINTEF
 Ongoing (2011) SINTEF
      
4Effects of Chemically Dispersed and Biodegraded Oils
Plymouth Laboratories, Inc
 Completed, 2004 MMS/BOEMRE
      

Improve, verify, and validate oil spill trajectory and fate models

4Field Verification of Oil Spill Fate & Transport Modeling and Linking CODAR Observation System Data with SIMAP Predictions.
Payne, French-McCay, Terrill, Nordhaussen (Payne Environmental Consultants, Inc.)
 Completed, 2007 CRRC
      
4Delivery and Quality Assurance of Short-Term Trajectory Forecasts from HF Radar Observations.
Garfield (San Francisco State University), Paduan (U.S. Naval Postgraduate School), Ohlmann (UC Santa Barbara)
 Completed, 2008 CRRC
      
4A Continuous Ongoing Process.   SINTEF

 

Effects of Dispersants: Topic 5 - Realistic Exposure Regimes/Toxicity Testing

Topic:Project Title/PI: Completion Date: Funding Agency:

Develop methods for collection and analysis of samples of dissolved phase and particulate/oil-droplet phase PAH in environmental samples

5Acute and Chronic Effects of Oil, Dispersant and Dispersed Oil to Sensitive Symbiotic Cnidarian Species, Including Corals.
Mitchelmore, Baker, Hatch (University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory)
 Completed, 2008 CRRC
      
5Studies Using Aquatic Turtles (the Diamondback Terrapin and Snapping Turtle) to Assess the Potential Long-Term Effects of Oiling of Nests During Early Embryonic Development.
Dr. Christopher Rowe, University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
 Completed, 2008 CRRC
      
5Long-term Effects - Exposure Methodology Development. 2007 SINTEF/ Norwegian Research Council
      

Monitoring dispersed oil concentrations at spills of opportunity

5SINTEF is responsible for all monitoring of dispersed oil during field testing by NOFO of dispersant on experimental oil spills.   SINTEF
      
5Effects of Dispersed Oil on Arctic Marine Environments.   JIP/Shell
      

Literature synthesis of dispersed oil toxicity studies

5Effect of Dispersed Oil. 2007 SINTEF/statoil
      

Standard methods for toxicity testing of dispersed oil appropriate for coastal regimes

5Method Development for Testing Effects of Dispersed Oil Droplets on Fish Larvae and Calanus. Complete (2010) SINTEF/ Norwegian Research Council; Contact: Trond.Nordtug@sintef.no
 
5Chemical Response to Oil Spill: Ecological Effects Research Forum (CROSERF).
Ecosystem Management and Associates, Inc
 Complete API, Exxon, Chevron, Marine Spill Response Corporation, state government agencies (AK, CA, FL, LA, TX, WA), federal government agencies (MMS/BOEMRE, NOAA, EPA) and Environment Canada
      
5Discobiol 2012 CEDRE, Contact: Francios Merlin
      
5Combining Mineral Fines with Chemical Dispersants to Disperse Oil in Low Temperature and Low Mixing Energy Environments, Including the Arctic   Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada; Francios Merlin, CEDRE
      
5Effects on mudflats of oil, and especially the effect of the bioturbation by worms (with additional test condition on dispersed oil)  Completed Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada; Francios Merlin, CEDRE
      
5Physiology & Ecotoxicology of sea bass exposed to chemically dispersed oil (continuation of DISCOBIOL study)  Completed Francios Merlin, CEDRE; Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada
      
5Toxicity of chemically dispersed oil on fish (herring embryos, salmon smolts, and juvenile cod)  Completed Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada; PSW RCAC
      
5A collaborative research agreement: field trials off the coast of China to study oil toxicity, biodegradation and the evaluation of spill treating agents  Completed Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada; State Oceanic Administration of China
      
5Toxicity of dispersed oil on whales  Completed (2014) PWS RCAC; Universityof Southern Maine
      
5Synthesis on Uptake and Effects of Dispersed Oil Droplets by Zooplanton  Completed PWS RCAC; Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
      
5Salmon, cod and herring exposure to dispersed oil  Completed (2017) PWS RCAC; Canada DFO
      
5Pink salmon and herring exposure to dispersed oil  Completed PWS RCAC; NMFS, Auke Bay
      
 Annually updated bibliography of recent dispersant articles (2011) [excel spreadsheet]  Completed (2011) PWS RCAC
      
 The Effects of WAF and CEWAF on EROD Activity in Juvenile Atlantic Cod  Completed (2010) Burridge, L.E., Lyons, M.C., Wong, D.K.H., Li, Z and Lee, K., ATW 2010, Toronto ON
      
 Investigations Into Potential Effects Of Oil, Oil Dispersants And Mixtures On Various Life Stages Of Marine Fish  Completed Burridge, L.E., PWSRCAC meeting, Anchorage AK 2010: Centre for Offshore Oil, Gas and Energy Research (COOGER)
      
 Comparison of the sensitivity of early-life stages of herring (Clupea sp.) species and stocks to the toxicity of three crude oils.   Johnson, S., Courtenay, S., Boudreau, M., Lee, K.,
      
 Effect of salinity and temperature on the toxicity of dispersed oil to Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) embryos exposed to Arabian light crude oil   Johnson, S., Courtenay, S., Boudreau, M., Lee, K.,
      
 SETAC Europe 2011, Milan, Italy: Environmental Factors affecting the toxicity of dispersed oil for herring embryos (Clupea sp.). Poster presentation.   Johnson, S., Courtenay, S., Boudreau, M., Lee, K.,
      
 AMOP 2011, Calgary, AB: Environmental Factors affecting the toxicity of dispersed oil for herring embryos (Clupea sp.). Platform presentation.   Johnson, S., Courtenay, S., Boudreau, M., Lee, K.,
      
 ACCESS 2011 Antigonish NS: Environmental Factors affecting the toxicity of dispersed oil for herring embryos (Clupea sp.). Poster presentation.   Johnson, S., Courtenay, S., Boudreau, M., Lee, K.,
      
 Toxicity Effects of Chemically-Dispersed Crude Oil on Fish. In: Proceedings of the International Oil Spill Conference, 2011. In Press; Accepted January 2011   Lee, K., King, T., Robinson, B., Li, Z., Burridge, L.E., Lyons, M.C., Wong, D.K.H., MacKeigan, K., Courtenay, S., Johnson, S., Hodson, P., Greer, C., Venosa, A
      
 The Influence of Water Temperature on Induced Liver EROD Activity in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Exposed to Crude Oil and Oil Dispersants; Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (in Press).   Lyons, M.C., Wong, D.K.H., Mulder, I., Lee, K., Burridge, L.E.,

 

Effects of Dispersants: Topic 6 - Integration to Make Short and Long Term Prediction of Effects

Topic:Project Title/PI: Completion Date: Funding Agency:

Synthesis of existing dispersed oil toxicity data to support risk-based decision making for use of dispersants at spills

6Environmental Impact Factor (EIF Acute).
SINTEF /Veritas
   SINTEF/Hydro/Statoil
      

Effects of dispersed oil on wildlife

      

Effects of short-term exposure to dispersed oil

6Acute and Chronic Effects of Oil, Dispersant and Dispersed Oil to Sensitive Symbiotic Cnidarian Species, Including Corals.
Mitchelmore, Baker, Hatch (University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory)
 Completed, 2008 CRRC
      
6Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil on Chinook Salmon Smolts (Oncorrhynchus tshawytscha).
Tjeerdema (University of California, Davis)"
 Completed,2006 CRRC
      
6Influence of Dispersants on Oil Toxicity in Fish Embryos.
Incardona, Scholz, Collier, Blanchard (NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center)
 On-going NOAA/ NWFSC
      
6The Relationship Between Acute and Population Level Effects of Exposure to Dispersed Oil, and the Influence of Exposure Conditions Using Multiple Life History Stages of an Estuarine Copepod, Eurytemora affinis, as a Model Planktonic Organism.
Aurand, Coelho (Ecosystem Management & Assoc)
 Completed, 2008 CRRC
      
6Effects of Dispersed Oil on Cod-Larvae. 2009 SINTEF/JIP
      
6Understanding fitness-related effects of dispersed oil on Calanus finmarchicus 2010-2012 SINTEF/RCN
      
6Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil to Tropical Nearshore Ecosystems: TROPICS 25th Year Visit May 2011 Clean Caribbean & Americas
      
6Effects of Dispersed Oil - Mechanically vs Chemically
Bjorn HenrickHansen, SINTEF
 2010-2012 SINTEF Contact BjornHenrick.Hansen@sintef.no
      

Long-term effects of short-term exposures to dispersed oil

6Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil on Chinook Salmon Smolts (Oncorrhynchus tshawytscha).
Tjeerdema (University of California, Davis)
 Completed, 2009 CA OSPR
      
6Effect of Oil and Dispersant and Dispersed Oil on Feathers   CA OSPR
      
6Physical Fate and Biological Effects of Dispersed Oil in Shallow Water. Completed, 2008 JIP: Statoil, Eni
      
6Dispersants as Oil Spill Countermeasures for the Remediation and Restoration of Sensitive Coastal Habitats.
Dr. Qianxin Lin, Louisiana State University, School of the Coast
 Completed, 2005 CRRC
      

Integration of fate and toxicity models with population models to predict short- and long-term effects of dispersant application

6Innovative Coastal Modeling for Decision Support: Integrating Physical, Biological, and Toxicological Models. 2006 CRRC
      
6Oil Spill Modeling Working Group - CRRC   CRRC
      
6NRDAM for the 1991 Gulf War, Arabian Gulf 2003 SINTEF
      
6Coastal and shoreline oil spill response: Fate of oil spill in coastal waters Covers processes involved in the fate of dispersed oil, with emphasis on the effect of presence of dispersant on these processes 2012 JIP: Statoil / Shell / Eni

Additional recent research papers (received January 2019) from ExxonMobil

      Subsea dispersant comparative risk assessment papers

      Subsea dispersant efficacy papers

       Subsea dispersant fate and effects papers

Dispersants are a class of chemicals that enhance natural dispersion of oil in marine environments.  When chemical dispersants are applied to oil slicks, the dispersant molecules interact at the oil-water interface, reducing the interfacial tension, and allow oil droplets to break away from slicks or sheens.  Once separated from the surface slick, the droplets remain in the mixed layer and naturally disperse. 

video credit, Joseph Katz, UNH

In order for dispersants to be effective, the water must be turbulent. The mixing energy provided by wind and waves allows the oil to break down to smaller size droplets. Katz (2009) used holographic imagery to capture how this process occurs.
Final Report
The stretching of the droplet into a curved "dumbbell" shape is caused by turbulence and the lowered interfacial tension of the oil as a result of the dispersant. This process produces a range of droplet sizes, referred to as a droplet size distribution. The size distribution is a function of the magnitude of turbulence and the type and amount of dispersant applied. Droplet size is one of the key factors dictating the fate and behavior of the oil. The ultimate goal of dispersants is to dilute the oil to an extent that it represents a low risk to the environment. This is accomplished through dispersing oil droplets into the water column, where they enter the mixed layer (ML) and disperse via currents and natural diffusion in three dimensions. Dispersants do not decrease the quantity of oil, they force dilution of the oil droplets into a large volume of water. Once dispersed, these oil droplets can have various potential fates including: sedimentation; dissolution; biodegradation; re-coalescence; and uptake by biota, either through ingestion or absorption (i.e., via direct contact on membranes or body surfaces).

Click on the photo to the right to view the video (Joseph Katz, UNH).

Resources

A Comprehensive Dispersant Hazard Assessment Based on Nearly 50-Years of Aquatic Toxicity Data, Adriana Bejarnao, Research Planning Inc

Critical Review and Analysis of Aquatic Toxcity Data on Oil Spill Dispersants, Adriana Bejarnao, Research Planning Inc

A Comparative Assessment of the Aquatic Toxicity of Corexit 9500 to Marine Organisms, Brandi Echols, Langdon, Stubblefield, Rand and Gardinali (2018).

BSEE large study comparative report

API JITF Subsea Dispersant Injection Newsletter

Deepwater Horizon Dispersant Use meeting report (May 26 & 27, 2010)

Deepwater Horizon Dispersant Use meeting press release (May 27, 2010)

Dispersant Research Information

Dispersed Oil Research Forum Presentations - February 1-2, 2007

Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

U.S. EPA/ORD Dispersant In Vitro Testing Analysis of Eight Oil Spill Dispersants Using In Vitro Tests for Endocrine and Other Biological Activity here>>

USEPA Dispersant Toxicity Testing (June 30, 2010) Comparative Toxicity of Eight Oil Dispersant Products on Two Gulf of Mexico Aquatic Test Species

Australian Maritime Safety Administration (August 2009)

Montara Wellhead Incident and dispersant application

Large-Scale Cold Water Dispersant Effectiveness Experiments with Alaskan Crude Oils and Corexit 9500 and 9527 Dispersants.  The paper was published in Marine Pollution Bulletin (MMS)

ExxonMobil Oil Spill Dispersant Guidelines 

ExxonMobil Oil Spill Response Field Manual

Dispersants Bibliography
A bibliography compiled and edited by John Conover, Associate Librarian at LUMCON

DISCOBIOL Project
11/17/07 presentation by Francois Merlin (Cedre)

SPREEX: Spill Response Experience WP2-T2.4 - Use of Dispersants - State of the Art
Francois Xavier Merlin and Georges Peigne (Cedre)

Understanding Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects
National Academy report

Dispersed Oil Research Forum - February 1-2, 2007

Research & Development Needs For Making Decisions Regarding Dispersing Oil, September 20-21, 2005
The workshop report 

The Center hosted a short course, Efficacy and Effects of Dispersants in Oil Spill Response: Progress since the 2005 NRC Report, at the 2008 International Oil Spill Conference on May 4, 2008.