Corexit, oil and marine microgels. Issue 1 (15th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chiu, Meng-Hsuen; Garcia, Santiago G.; Hwang, Benjamin; Claiche, Devon; Sanchez, Gabriela; Aldayafleh, Reef; Tsai, Shih-Ming; Santschi, Peter H.; Quigg, Antonietta; Chin, Wei-Chun
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 122:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 376
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2017-09-15
• Subjects: Corexit -- microgel -- DOM -- interfacial microgel formation; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Corexit, an EPA-approved chemical dispersant, was intensively used during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Current studies surrounding Corexit have mainly focused on its toxicity and oil removal capacity. The potential impact of Corexit on the surface ocean carbon dynamics has remained largely unknown. The spontaneous assembly of DOM (dissolved organic matter) polymers into microgels (POM, particulate organic matter) was demonstrated previously that it can influence various critical processes, such as colloidal pump, microbial loops, and nutrition availability in the surface ocean. Here, we report that Corexit alone can significantly inhibit DOM microgel formation and reduce the stability of pre-existing microgels. However, Corexit and oil, Chemically Enhanced Water Accommodated Fraction (CEWAF), could effectively facilitate DOM microgel formation. The unanticipated disturbance of Corexit and oil spills on the critical DOM-POM continuum warrant particular caution and thus should be considered for future application of Corexit during oil spills. Highlights: Corexit alone can inhibit marine microgel formation to interfere DOM-POM transition Corexit and oil can significantly impact marine microgel formation to warrant caution for Corexit use in future oil spills.