Citation:

Safferman, S. SELECTION OF NUTRIENTS TO ENHANCE BIODEGRADATION FOR THE REMEDIATION OF OIL SPILLED ON BEACHES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-91/212 (NTIS PB91233304), 1991.

Description:

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the fate of fertilizers proposed for application to the Alaska shoreline in support of the Alaskan Oil Spill EPA Bioremediation Project. ertilizer application is theorized to prove indigenous organisms with nutrients that appear to be limited on ocean beaches. he experiments were developed strictly to test the durability, release rates, and application procedures of a variety of fertilizer types. he effects of tidal movement on a beach was simulated by two separate conditions, static and dynamic. he static condition represented periods when the beach material was under water and turbulence was at a minimum. his condition was simulated in the laboratory by submerging the nutrient in a beaker of simulated sea water (with or without beach material depending on the nutrients). hese experiments ran continuously over a 3-month period with water exchanges in accordance with a planned schedule. utrient concentrations were measured in the exchanged water. ynamic conditions represented forces on beach material as the water moved from the low to high tide and then back to low tide. n the laboratory, the condition was simulated by applying the nutrients to beach material, which was piled in on end of a long narrow tray placed on a rocker table. hen the rocker table was operating and sufficient quantities of sea water had been added to cover the beach material (in the rocker table's low position), a gentle sloshing of the water over the materials resulted. hese experiments generally lasted 1 to 2 hours during which time liquid samples were collected for nutrient analyses. urability of the fertilizers was measured by visual observation and freeze/thaw determinations. he experimental setup was economical and performed well. he fertilizer most suited for field trial was found to be isobutyraldehyde diurea briquettes, which produced a slow continuous release of nutrients was found.

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