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5 Comparing Properties Affecting Transport, Fate, Effects, and Response
Pages 89-100

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From page 89...
... Three potential products of a spill via transmission pipeline that are analyzed include (i) a spill of crude oil (commonly light or medium crude)
From page 90...
... In Figure 5-1 the first column lists properties affecting transport, for example, adhesion and solubility. The second column graphically summarizes how commonly transported crude oils (CTC)
From page 91...
... FIGURE 5-1  Diluted bitumen relative to commonly transported crude oils: considerations related to transport in the environment. Acronyms: BTEX: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes.
From page 92...
... The spill responses that are standard for crude oils can be applied effectively to diluted bitumen prior to weathering. On the other hand, once sufficient weathering has occurred, there is a lower level of concern that weathered bitumen will be transported by spreading compared to commonly transported crude oils or to diluted bitumen.
From page 93...
... FIGURE 5-2  Diluted bitumen relative to commonly transported crude oils: considerations related to fate in the environment.
From page 94...
... For commonly transported crude oils, there is a reasonable prospect that some portion of the oil not collected by cleanup activities will be biologically degraded in the water column or in soil and sediment. Figure 5-2 summarizes estimates of the risks associated with a variety of fates for the spilled material.
From page 95...
... FIGURE 5-3  Diluted bitumen relative to commonly transported crude oils: considerations related to effects in the environment. Acronyms: BTEX: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes; HMW: high molecular weight; LMW: low molecular weight.
From page 96...
... In contrast, the level of concern is reversed for high molecular weight compounds that may be transferred in food webs and present a concern in terms of chronic toxicity. The major concern is the distinct lack of chemical characterization, biodegradation, and targeted toxicity studies for diluted bitumen compared to other commonly transported crude oils.
From page 97...
... 97 FIGURE 5-4  Response operations: diluted bitumen relative to commonly transported crude oils.
From page 98...
... Thus, the rapid loss of diluent inherently presents a distinct immediate challenge in responding to spills of diluted bitumen compared to spills of commonly transported crude oils. Beyond the challenges presented by the behavior of the diluent, there are other distinctive aspects of the initial spill response for diluted bitumen.
From page 99...
... Based on this comparison of timelines and potential outcomes, there are distinct aspects of effective responses to spills of diluted bitumen in comparison to effective responses to spills of commonly transported crude oils.
From page 100...
... At the same time, the level of concern for responders and public safety associated with toxic and potentially explosive volatiles in the diluent fraction is similar as for commonly transported crude oils as these concerns are associated with properties of the diluents used. The oil and pipeline industries and the response community have developed approaches for addressing releases of crude oil that are based on accumulated experience in responding to the diversity of spills that have occurred, as well as knowledge of the general properties of crude oil.


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