Assessing Toxicity of Oil Weathered on the Sea Surface: The Importance of Oil Photo-Products
Implementing Organization
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$992,416
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – Gulf Research Program (NASEM - GRP)
Funding Program
NASEM Gulf Research Program Grants
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Chemical Aspects Research
Targeted Resources
Petroleum
Project Description
Oil floating at the ocean surface during an oil spill interacts with sunlight and forms “photo-products.” These photo-products are persistent and potentially toxic, but knowledge about their biological impacts, including ecosystem and human health risks, is limited. Thus, they are not adequately accounted for by decision makers when evaluating oil spill risks and impacts. This project, which includes practitioner engagement and input throughout, aims to address this knowledge gap and improve oil spill risk assessment by investigating the chemical composition, bioavailability, toxicity, and long-term health effects of oil photo-products and incorporating this information into models used for oil spill risk assessment.
Contact
Christoph AeppliNone
caeppli@bigelow.org
Project Website
None
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