An Investigation on Bubble Bursting as a Mechanism for Aerosolization of Seawater Contaminated with Crude Oil and Crude Oil and Dispersant Mixtures

A pilot-scale tower tank was set-up for generation of micro-bubbles under a volume of seawater contaminated with crude oil and crude oil-dispersant mixtures. The impact of generated bubbles on aerosolization of particles from the water surface was studied using particle sizing instruments. Real-time air quality monitoring was conducted before, during and after bubbles were injected into the water column. The influence of bubble bursting on number and mass concentration of the generated aerosols were evaluated and emission factors were estimated. Three cases with surface slicks of either crude oil only, crude oil-dispersant mixture (dispersant to oil ratio of 1:25) or dispersant only were tested over the seawater column.