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.

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

1

Dispersants: An Electronic Bibliography on Effectiveness, Technological Advances, and Toxicological Effects.
Conover of LUMCON Library, LSU

  Complete   Louisiana OSRADP
           
1 Stability and the Resurfacing of Dispersed Oil.
Fingas of Environment Canada
  Complete (2005)   PWS RCAC
           
1 A 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
           
1 Technology Assessment of the Use of Dispersants on Spills from MMS-Regulated OCS Facilities.
SL Ross Envrionmental Research Ltd.
  Complete (2001)   MMS/BOEMRE/BOEM
           
1 Assessment of the Use of Dispersants on Marine Oil Spills in California.
SL Ross Envrionmental Research Ltd.
  Complete (2002)   MMS/BOEMRE/BOEM
           
1 Chemical Characteristics of an Oil and the Relationship to Dispersant Effectiveness
Emergencies Science Division, Environment Canada
  Complete (2004)   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Identification of Window of Opportunity for Chemical Dispersants on Gulf of Mexico Crude Oils
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
  Complete (2007)   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Understanding Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects
JIP with National Academy of Science
  Complete   JIP members (MMS, NOAA, API, USCG)
           
1 IMO Guidelines (Updating)   Complete (2012)   International Maritime Organization

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

1 Effectiveness by use of dispersant on various oils at relevant weathering degree and ice concentrations.
Task leader - SINTEF, Norway
  Complete (2008)   Shell
           
1 Wave 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
           
1 Effects of Dispersants on Oil-SPM Aggregation and Fate in US Coastal Waters.
Khelifa, Fingas of Environment Canada
  Complete (2008)   CRRC
           
1 Development 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
           
1 Measurements 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 EMSA - Project: "Decision Support Tool for Dispersant Use."
SINTEF, CEDRE, Alun Lewis Ltd
  Complete (2006)   SINTEF/EMSA/CEDRE/Lewis
           
1 Correlating 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
           
1 Analysis of IFO-180 and IFO-380 Oil Properties for Dispersant Windo of Opportunity.
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
  Complete (2004)   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Correlating 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
           
1 Mitigating 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
           
1 Development 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
           
1 Workshop 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

1

Wave 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
           
1 Development 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
           
1 Measurements 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

1 Wave 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
           
1 Development 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
           
1 Measurements 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
           
1 Laboratory 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
           
1 Chemical 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
           
1 Analysis 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

1 2005 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
           
1 Using 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
           
1 Dispersant Effectiveness Testing on Heavy OCS Crude Oils at Ohmsett.
Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
  Complete   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 The Effect of Warming Viscous Oils Prior to Discharge on Dispersant Performance.
Mr. Randy Belore, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
  Complete   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Calm Sea Application of Dispersants.
Dr. Ken Trudel and Randy Belore, S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
  Complete   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Chemical 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
           
1 Research 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
           
1 Laboratory Study to Compare the Effectiveness of Chemical Dispersants When Applied Dilute versus Neat.
SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd
  Complete   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Changes 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
           
1 Development 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
           
1 Chemical Dispersant Research at Ohmsett.
S.L. Ross Environmental Research Ltd.
  Complete   MMS/BOEMRE/BSEE
           
1 Chemical 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
           
1 Chemical 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
           
1 Chemical 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
           
1 Review of Ohmsett Cold Water Testing.
Fingas, DeCola, Environment Canada
    Completed   PWS RCAC
           
1 Laboratory Study of the Effects of Time on the Effectiveness of Dispersants.
Dr. Per Daling, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry
    Completed   BSEE/SINTEF
           
1 Cold 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
           
1 Mid-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
           
1

Heavy Oil Dispersant Research
S.L. Ross Environmental Research, Ltd.

    Completed   BOEM
           
1 Baffled Flask Dispersant Effectiveness Testing
Dr. Al Venosa
   Completed   BOEM
1 Weathering and Dispersability of the Macondo MC252 crude oil
Dr. Per Daling, SINTEF
   Completed   SINTEF
1 Field 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

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

Improving models of dispersed oil transport in the upper mixed layer

2 Dispersion 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

2 Field 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
           
2 The NEBAJEX (MUMM /SINTEF /CEDRE)    Complete   SINTEF/ MUMM/ CEDRE
           
2 Upgrade 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

2 Mechanical Recovery of Oil Treated with Dispersant.   Complete   SINTEF/ Norwegian Authorities
           
2 Investigation 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

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

Shell/JIP/SINTEF

 

           
2 Development of New Application System for Large Response Vessels.   Completed, 2006   SINTEF
           
2 JIP-Oil in Ice: Development of Boat Application Systems Use in Ice-Covered Areas.   Completed, 2009   SINTEF/JIP
           
2 Chemical 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
           
2 Laboratory Study of the Effects of Time on the Effectiveness of Dispersants
Dr. Per Daling, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry
   Complete   SINTEF
           
2 Cold 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
           
2 Plume 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;
           
2 Gulf 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
           
2 Arctic 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

2 Upgrading of Instrumentation at SINTEF and Testing During Field Trials.   Completed, 2006   SINTEF/Statoil/NOFO
           
2 Use 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
2

Sub-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

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

Improved models to predict dispersant effectiveness and oil fate

3 Development 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
           
3 AMOS (JIP): Development of OSCAR-3DPlume.   2004   SINTEF/JIP
           
3 Validation 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
           
3 Development 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

4 Effects of Dispersants on Oil-SPM Aggregation and Fate in US Coastal Waters.
Khelifa, Fingas, Environment Canada
  Completed, 2008   CRRC
           
4 Fate and Effects of Dispersed Oil in Shallow Water   2010   SINTEF/JIP
           
4

Fate of Dispersed Oil - mechanically vs. chemically
Alf Melbye, SINTEF

  Ongoing 2010-2013   SINTEF
           
4 Using 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
           
4 Studies 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

4 Petroleum 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
           
4 Fate and Effects of Emulsions Product after Oil Spills in Estuaries
Dr. Richard Lee, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
  Completed, 2004   CRRC
           
4 SERF-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

4 Field Validations of Model Predictions.   2000   SINTEF
           

Quantification of the biodegradation kinetics of dispersed oil

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

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

4 Field 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
           
4 Delivery 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
           
4 A 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

5 Acute 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
           
5 Studies 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
           
5 Long-term Effects - Exposure Methodology Development.   2007   SINTEF/ Norwegian Research Council
           

Monitoring dispersed oil concentrations at spills of opportunity

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

Literature synthesis of dispersed oil toxicity studies

5 Effect of Dispersed Oil.   2007   SINTEF/statoil
           

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

5 Method Development for Testing Effects of Dispersed Oil Droplets on Fish Larvae and Calanus.   Complete (2010)   SINTEF/ Norwegian Research Council; Contact: Trond.Nordtug@sintef.no
 
5 Chemical 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
           
5 Discobiol   2012   CEDRE, Contact: Francios Merlin
           
5 Combining 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
           
5 Effects 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
           
5 Physiology & Ecotoxicology of sea bass exposed to chemically dispersed oil (continuation of DISCOBIOL study)    Completed   Francios Merlin, CEDRE; Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada
           
5 Toxicity of chemically dispersed oil on fish (herring embryos, salmon smolts, and juvenile cod)    Completed   Ken Lee, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada; PSW RCAC
           
5 A 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
           
5 Toxicity of dispersed oil on whales    Completed (2014)   PWS RCAC; Universityof Southern Maine
           
5 Synthesis on Uptake and Effects of Dispersed Oil Droplets by Zooplanton    Completed   PWS RCAC; Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
           
5 Salmon, cod and herring exposure to dispersed oil    Completed (2017)   PWS RCAC; Canada DFO
           
5 Pink 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

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

Effects of dispersed oil on wildlife

           

Effects of short-term exposure to dispersed oil

6 Acute 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
           
6 Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil on Chinook Salmon Smolts (Oncorrhynchus tshawytscha).
Tjeerdema (University of California, Davis)"
  Completed,2006   CRRC
           
6 Influence of Dispersants on Oil Toxicity in Fish Embryos.
Incardona, Scholz, Collier, Blanchard (NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center)
  On-going   NOAA/ NWFSC
           
6 The 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
           
6 Effects of Dispersed Oil on Cod-Larvae.   2009   SINTEF/JIP
           
6 Understanding fitness-related effects of dispersed oil on Calanus finmarchicus   2010-2012   SINTEF/RCN
           
6 Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil to Tropical Nearshore Ecosystems: TROPICS 25th Year Visit   May 2011   Clean Caribbean & Americas
           
6 Effects 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

6 Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil on Chinook Salmon Smolts (Oncorrhynchus tshawytscha).
Tjeerdema (University of California, Davis)
  Completed, 2009   CA OSPR
           
6 Effect of Oil and Dispersant and Dispersed Oil on Feathers       CA OSPR
           
6 Physical Fate and Biological Effects of Dispersed Oil in Shallow Water.   Completed, 2008   JIP: Statoil, Eni
           
6 Dispersants 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

6 Innovative Coastal Modeling for Decision Support: Integrating Physical, Biological, and Toxicological Models.   2006   CRRC
           
6 Oil Spill Modeling Working Group - CRRC       CRRC
           
6 NRDAM for the 1991 Gulf War, Arabian Gulf   2003   SINTEF
           
6 Coastal 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.