GOM Oil On Water Sampling Photos 2017-08-16

These data were collected as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric’s (NOAA) DWH Lessons Learned Studies: Detection of Oil Thickness and Emulsion Mixtures using RS Platforms study on methods to estimate oil slick coverage and thickness. The Team developed methods for synoptic collection of satellite imagery, airborne imagery, surface oil characterization, oil and water chemistry, and subsurface oil slick data at both the Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank (Ohmsett) and the Mississippi Canyon lease block #20 (MC20), which has an ongoing chronic oil discharge. Data shown here in NOAA’s Environmental Response Management Applications (ERMA) are part of the MC20 field research undertaken in 2016, 2017, and 2018. This research was primarily funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and the Oil Spill Preparedness Division through Interagency Agreement E16PG00023 with the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA.

The primary objective of this research was to compare the ability of multiple remote sensing platforms to detect and quantify surface oil, and verify that anomalies identified in remote sensing images corresponded with oil slick features that could be observed and quantified on a boat. This research was organized into 3 phases:

Phase 1: Characterized the detection of known oil thicknesses and oil-emulsions in a controlled environment, by performing multiple tests and calibrations for thermal, optical, and microwave sensors at the National Oil Spill Response Research & Renewable Energy Test Facility (Ohmsett) which is located at the Naval Weapons Station Earle Waterfront in Leonardo, New Jersey. Controlled experiments took place during July 2016.

Phase 2: Measured the open water oil thicknesses and oil-emulsions at the damaged Taylor Energy well field surface oiling site (MC20) by performing multiple tests and calibrations for thermal, optical and microwave sensors. Data were collected in November 2016, April 2017, and August 2017.

Phase 3: Developed operational methods and procedures for processing and interpreting each of the sensors products used during the experiments for future emergency operations.

The objective of synoptic sampling at MC20 was to provide data and observations on the water that verified (ground-truth) remote sensing data. The Team attempted to collect as much multi-platform and sensor data as was practicable while scheduling field sampling events to coincide with satellite collections. The Team also collected imagery from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and as many as four separate fixed-wing aircraft timed to these collections. These data were collected by multiple researchers from NOAA, Ocean Imaging Corp., Water Mapping LLC, University of North Texas (UNT), EPA, WHOI, Fototerra Aerial Survey LLC, and others. A total of 5 different data types are shown here in ERMA: in situ sampling, ship/flight trackline and photos, imagery, oil characterization, and oil on water samples. Summaries of the data collection methods are included below.

NOAA documented the oil on water sampling events with a digital camera and produced geo-tagged photos for use in ERMA. The NOAA/Abt Team collected bulk oil from the water surface using Plexiglas dip plates, scraping the slick oil collected on the dip plates into a sampling jar. The collection of bulk oil required the presence of thicker slicks, and thus bulk oil could not be collected during the August 2017 trip where the oil slicks were generally less than 50 μm. All bulk oil samples were sent to ALS Environmental in Kelso, Washington, for TPH and PAH analyses. After chemical analysis, any remaining bulk oil sample were sent to Triton Analytics in Houston, Texas, to determine water content and density.

The NOAA/Abt Team collected water samples from multiple depths concurrently using a 4-line sampler with high-purity tubing and a peristaltic pump. For the first and second sampling trip (November 2016 and April 2017, respectively), samples were collected by simply suspending the sample tubing off the side of the boat. For the third sampling trip (August 2017), sample tubing was attached to an anchored cord that was attached to a floating buoy in order to collect from a constant depth relative to the surface. 250- mL whole water samples were collected at each depth. All water samples were analyzed for TPH and a subset of samples for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

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