The use of dispersants in broken ice

The effectiveness of two commercial dispersants in breaking up oil spilled onto a mixture of broken ice and water, were evaluated. Tests were conducted in which a light crude oil was spilled into containment booms which had been frozen into the ice of a salt-water-filled wave tank. Cleaning agents were then added and low amplitude waves were generated for two hours. Spills were dispersed by 90% or better in a short time. Oil in water dispersion was monitored by fluorimetry, by video and still photography. At the end of the experiment, the remaining oil on the water and ice surface was measured. No measurable oil was dispersed into the water column between two moving smooth lead surfaces. It was concluded that it may be possible to disperse spilled oil with chemicals in the northern seas during ice formation and in early spring when the sheet ice is breaking up. 6 refs., 2 tabs., 3 figs