Project Page

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 Aeppli
None
caeppli@bigelow.org
Project Website
Project Partners

None

Affiliated Institutions

None

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