AN INVESTIGATION OF BENTHIC SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS INTHEVICINITY OFTHE COSSACK PIONEER FPSO, NORTHWEST SHELF

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
J.G. Colman ◽  
N.F. West
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Volume Discharge ◽  
Remotely Operated Vehicle ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Benthic Sediments

Routine discharges from the Cossack Pioneer floating production storage and offloading facility (FPSO) on the North West Shelf include produced formation water (PFW) from the Wanaea-Cossack and Lambert-Hermes oil fields. PFW is the highest volume discharge from the FPSO and contains a variety of naturally occurring materials from the formation, including residual volatile and non-volatile hydrocarbons not removed by the separation process, trace metals, naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) and process chemicals carried over from the production stream.In May 1999, a total of 22 sediment samples were collected at the Cossack Pioneer location, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from a support vessel. Sampling stations were located along four transects, aligned along and perpendicular to the prevailing current direction. The objective of this survey was to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of benthic sediments in the vicinity of the Cossack Pioneer to determine whether there have been any significant inputs of trace metals, hydrocarbons and NORMs into benthic sediments as a consequence of PFW discharge from the facility.Trace metal concentrations were low in all the samples analysed, with levels at all sites generally below those detected at the control site, approximately 16 km from the Cossack Pioneer location. Low concentrations of TPH were detected in all of the samples, apart from the sample collected at the control site. These TPH levels were solely composed of a series of high molecular weight alkanes (C27−C34 n-alkanes) the distribution of which is not consistent with those commonly observed in crude oils, distilled petroleum fractions or synthetic oil- based drilling fluids. Concentrations of NORMs were also generally below those detected at the control site and were comparable with levels measured in uncontaminated sediments in the Gulf of Mexico.Overall, the concentrations of trace metals, TPH and NORMs measured in sediments adjacent to the Cossack Pioneer location did not indicate any significant anthropogenic input resulting from PFW discharge, and were below levels that have been shown to cause adverse biological effects in marine sediments.

THE PERSISTENCE AND EFFECTS OF NON-WATER-BASED DRILLING FLUIDS ON AUSTRALIA'S NORTH WEST SHELF: PROGRESS FINDINGS FROM THREE SEABED SURVEYS

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.A. Oliver ◽  
S.J. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Well Drilling ◽  
North West ◽  
Sediment Dispersal ◽  
Discharge Point ◽  
The North ◽  
Sediment Redistribution ◽  
Water Based ◽  
One Year

The effects and persistence of non-water-based drilling fluids discharged into the marine environment were investigated at three locations on Western Australia's North West Shelf (NWS), namely the North Rankin 4A' (NRA) drilling platform, the Wanaea–6 production well and the Lynx–la exploration well. For the multiple-well drilling operation at NRA, acute biological effects at the completion of drilling were restricted to within 400 m in the direction of the prevailing current. High total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations within the NRA cuttings pile persisted between 1991 and 1993. Away from the cuttings pile itself, a consistent downward trend in TPH concentrations was evident, indicating an approximate half-life of one year for surface sediments. Three years after the completion of drilling at Wanaea–6, biological effects appeared to be limited to within 100 m of the cuttings discharge point, with background concentrations of TPH and trace metals occurring near 1,200 m in the direction of the prevailing current. Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations greater than 1 mg/kg were found to be restricted to within 200 m of the cuttings discharge point. Dramatic reductions in TPH and barium concentrations occurred in the 12-month period between the completion of drilling and the follow- up survey at Lynx–la. The reductions are attributed to sediment dispersal mechanisms which appear to play a major role in reducing sediment TPH and trace metal concentrations in mid-shelf water depths (70–80 m) on the NWS. The installation and presence of subsea production facilities may result in sediment redistribution and changed dispersal mechanisms, complicating the interpretation of the presence of contaminants within sediments.

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF THE FORTIES OILFIELD (NORTH SEA)

1983 ◽  
Vol 1983 (1) ◽  
pp. 405-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Hartley ◽  
J. Ferbrache
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Sediment Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Similar Survey ◽  
Benthic Sediments

ABSTRACT The Forties Oilfield (the largest in the U.K. sector of the North Sea) has been in production since September 1975. In June 1975, a quantitative survey of the benthic sediments and fauna over the area was made at the start of an environmental monitoring program for the field. The results of a repeat survey carried out after three years of production have been reported by Hartley.13 This paper presents data from a third similar survey in June 1981 and compares the findings with those of the earlier surveys. The benthic fauna of the Forties Field is rich and diverse and qualitatively corresponded well in 1981 to previous descriptions. Naturally occurring gradients in both the sediment type and fauna are a feature of this area. Changes in the densities of certain species were noted at some sites in 1981, including increases in certain opportunistic forms. Although no areas of biological effect could be delineated around the four production platforms, the industrial activity in the field may be implicated in the changes found at several stations. The hydrocarbon content of the sediments was low and, with one possible exception, did not appear related to the biological changes noted. The results to date suggest that offshore oilfields in deep water, developed using water-based drill fluids, present relatively few biological problems in the short term. Since no major biological effects have been found after six years of drilling and production, a reduced program of monitoring is recommended to maintain biological surveillance during the life of the field.

Thinness in a population of rural girls in Poland: 14-year changes and regional differentiation

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 737-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chrzanowska ◽  
Agnieszka Suder ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Regional Differentiation ◽  
North West ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Farming Families

AbstractWorldwide data indicate a growing number of energy homeostasis disorders, which are especially dangerous in childhood. The distribution and growing trends of overweight and obesity in children have been widely investigated, unlike the prevalence of too-low body weight and its determinants. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of body mass deficiency in Polish rural girls and differences among four Polish regions – Choszczno and Leszno in the north-west, and Ostrów Mazowiecka and Suwałki in the north-east. Data were taken from 7764 rural girls aged 9–18 years examined in 1987, when the country was in economic crisis, and 9431 such girls examined in 2001, when the country was undergoing political transformation. The frequency of weight deficiency was estimated based on BMI by applying the international standards of Cole. An Extent of Overweight (EOW) index was used to create an Extent of Thinness (EOT) index. A significant increase in weight deficiency was found in the rural girls – from 7.5% in 1987 to 8.9% in 2001 – and an increase in the EOT index from 0.37 in 1987 to 0.43 in 2001. Analysis by area of residence demonstrated significant differentiation. In the regions in north-west Poland, mainly inhabited by non-farming families, the prevalence of weight deficiency in girls almost doubled from 1987 to 2001, probably because of the mass and long-term unemployment that resulted from the closure of state farms in 1992. In contrast, in the north-east regions, the prevalence of weight deficiency remained almost unchanged over this period, with only a slight decrease, probably because the inhabitants were mainly farm and farm/working families with better living conditions. Despite the overall increase in thinness prevalence in rural girls in Poland, different living conditions have had different biological effects.

DRILLING FLUIDS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ESTER OXYGEN-BASED FLUID

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 640 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J.A. Papp ◽  
N.F. West
Keyword(s):  
Development Program ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Fluid System ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Ecotoxicity Testing ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Extended Reach Drilling ◽  
The Impact

An oxygen-based fluid (OBF) containing fish oil ester was introduced in October 1998 for the extended reach drilling campaign on the Goodwyn Alpha platform.The introduction involved multiple discussions with the West Australian Department of Minerals and Energy (WADME) and adherence to the risk-based approach from both WADME and the Woodside Energy Ltd (WEL) policies and standards for well engineering operations.The WEL approach to the introduction of the fluid was to address the issues associated with the use and discharge of the ester.The issues included the development of a fluid system which was optimal for extended reach wells, engineering solutions to minimise the amount of fluid discharged, and gaining a better understanding of the environmental impact of the fluid to local conditions.To minimise the volume discharged, the platform was refurbished including an upgrade to state-of-the-art solids removal equipment and modifications to the fluid system to ensure double discharge barriers.Baker Hughes Inteq conducted an extensive development program of the ester fluid system, involving more than 5,000 man hours of laboratory work.In conjuction with Curtin University of Technology, ecotoxicity testing was conducted to determine the acute impact on local species on the North West Shelf. A closed- bottle anaerobic biodegradation test was developed by Geotechnical Services to compare biodegradation rates of different fluids.By minimising the volume discharged and evaluating the impact of the discharge on the marine environment, WEL has demonstrated a comprehensive risk-based approach for the introduction of an OBF to WEL's platform and mobile drilling operations.

scholarly journals In Vitro Effects of Particulate Matter Associated with a Wildland Fire in the North-West of Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10812
Author(s):  
Marta Gea ◽  
Sara Bonetta ◽  
Daniele Marangon ◽  
Francesco Antonio Pitasi ◽  
Caterina Armato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Estrogenic Activity ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Mutagenic Effect ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Pm10 And Pm2.5 ◽  
Gene Reporter Assay

Wildland fires, increasing in recent decades in the Mediterranean region due to climate change, can contribute to PM levels and composition. This study aimed to investigate biological effects of PM2.5 (Ø < 2.5 µm) and PM10 (Ø < 10 µm) collected near a fire occurred in the North-West of Italy in 2017 and in three other areas (urban and rural areas). Organic extracts were assessed for mutagenicity using Ames test (TA98 and TA100 strains), cell viability (WST-1 and LDH assays) and genotoxicity (Comet assay) with human bronchial cells (BEAS-2B) and estrogenic activity using a gene reporter assay (MELN cells). In all sites, high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 were measured during the fire suggesting that near and distant sites were influenced by fire pollutants. The PM10 and PM2.5 extracts induced a significant mutagenicity in all sites and the mutagenic effect was increased with respect to historical data. All extracts induced a slight increase of the estrogenic activity but a possible antagonistic activity of PM samples collected near fire was observed. No cytotoxicity or DNA damage was detected. Results confirm that fires could be relevant for human health, since they can worsen the air quality increasing PM concentrations, mutagenic and estrogenic effects.

THE FATE OF HYDROCARBONS ASSOCIATED WITH DRILLING FROM THE NORTH RANKIN 'A' GAS AND CONDENSATE PLATFORM, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
A. Chegwidden ◽  
S.J. Fisher ◽  
R. Alexander ◽  
R.I. Kagi
Keyword(s):  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Remotely Operated Vehicle ◽  
Base Oil ◽  
The North ◽  
Hydrocarbon Analysis ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Low Toxicity

Drilling operations from the North Rankin 'A' platform ceased in August 1991. At that time two sets of triplicate samples of seabed sediments for hydrocarbon analysis were collected using a remotely operated vehicle. One set of sediments was collected along a transect up to 10 km from the platform in the direction of the prevailing current; the other was collected along a perpendicular transect to a distance of 1.2 km. The total hydrocarbon concentrations of these samples were 75 000 mg/kg (dry weight of sediments) beside the platform, decreasing rapidly with distance from the platform. At approximately 800 m in the direction of the current levels were 40 mg/kg, and at approximately 2000 m the concentrations found were 2 mg/kg.Detailed examination revealed the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments. This indicates that they must be derived, at least in part, from formation fluids; however, a substantial contribution from the low toxicity base oil (hydrogenated kerosene) component of drilling fluids is present, judging from the molecular weight distribution of the sediment hydrocarbons.Near the cuttings chute samples contained approximately five per cent aromatic hydrocarbons. Beyond approximately 400 m in the direction of the prevailing current, and along the perpendicular transect, aromatic hydrocarbons made up approximately 20 per cent of the sediment hydrocarbons. As the distance from the cuttings chute increased, the extent of biodegradation of the hydrocarbons in the sample also was found to increase.

SEM and TEM observations of sperm development in the testis of the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 58-59
Author(s):  
Daryl A. Cornish ◽  
George L. Smit
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Oreochromis Mossambicus ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Sem And Tem ◽  
Sperm Development ◽  
Ultrastructural Characteristics ◽  
The University

Oreochromis mossambicus is currently receiving much attention as a candidater species for aquaculture programs within Southern Africa. This has stimulated interest in its breeding cycle as well as the morphological characteristics of the gonads. Limited information is available on SEM and TEM observations of the male gonads. It is known that the testis of O. mossambicus is a paired, intra-abdominal structure of the lobular type, although further details of its characteristics are not known. Current investigations have shown that spermatids reach full maturity some two months after the female becomes gravid. Throughout the year, the testes contain spermatids at various stages of development although spermiogenesis appears to be maximal during November when spawning occurs. This paper describes the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of the testes and spermatids.Specimens of this fish were collected at Syferkuil Dam, 8 km north- west of the University of the North over a twelve month period, sacrificed and the testes excised.

The North West Passage

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roald Amundsen ◽  
Godfred Hansen
Keyword(s):  
North West ◽  
The North
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