Formation and weathering assessment of oil-suspended sediment aggregates through a laboratory investigation

Formation of oil-suspended sediment aggregates (OSAs) is believed to be one the natural cleaning processes in marine environment. In this study, we have investigated formation OSAs under different mixing periods (continuous and with addition sediments between), oil-sediment ratios (1:1, 1:2 2:1) crude oils (Arabian Light (AL), Kuwait (KW) Murban (MB)). The results revealed that size significantly increased (up ≈ 1.41 mm) sediments. Aggregates (total 36) were extracted for n-alkanes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons quantify assess their weathering toxic levels. maximum n-alkane depletion was 84% (111-02), 94% (212-02) (321-02) PAH 72% 79% 81% (311-03) AL, KW MB oils, respectively, samples considered, indicating depleted relatively higher than PAHs. highest both PAHs has occurred 10-h continuous mixing. reduced after sediments, however, escalated growth OSAs, resulting bigger OSAs. concentration all 36 greater 5000 ng/g, very high pollution. Though helps spill sites, carcinogenic threat ecosystem caused by these cannot ignored.