Abstract:

This dataset includes particle size distribution tables for nano-sized and micron-sized airborne particles averaged over a 15-min period. Experiment treatments included crude oil only, dispersant only, and crude oil/dispersant mixture. For each treatment, both calm and violent plunging breaker waves were examined.

Suggested Citation:

Nima Afshar-Mohajer. 2016. Size Distribution of Nano-Sized and Micron-Sized Particles Aerosolized from the Seawater Surface due to Breaking Waves. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N75M63RJ

Publications:

Afshar-Mohajer, N., Li, C., Rule, A. M., Katz, J., & Koehler, K. (2018). A laboratory study of particulate and gaseous emissions from crude oil and crude oil-dispersant contaminated seawater due to breaking waves. Atmospheric Environment, 179, 177–186. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.02.017

Purpose:

To investigate how addition of chemical dispersant to the seawater surface, which is contaminated by the crude oil slick, may change the concentration of different particle sizes aerosolized from the water to the atmosphere.

Data Parameters and Units:

particle diameter (micrometer, nanometer), number of particles (per cubic centimeter of the air volume)

Methods:

The first column includes particle diameters in either micron meter or nano meter (as indicated in parenthesis) and other columns include number of particles per cubic centimeter of the air volume. Use of real-time aerosol monitoring instruments to count number of airborne particles in certain volume of the air. All experiments were conducted in a (6m length x 0.3m width x 0.6 m depth) wave tank system. The tank was filled with 450 L of 33ppt seawater (equivalent to the depth of 0.25 m inside the wave tank). Treatments: crude oil (Louisiana Light Sweat), dispersant (Corexit 9500A), or crude oil plus dispersant (disperant to oil 1:25). For crude oil only and mixture treatments, 900mL of oil was added uniformly over the surface of the seawater (slick of about 0.5 mm). For the dispersant only treatment, 36 mL of the dispersant was added uniformly over the surface (slick of about 20 mm). For the wave type perspective, waves were categorized into 2 classes based on energy dissipation. Calm waves were defined when their energy dissipation were adjusted to be 0.007 m^2/s^3. Violent waves were defined when their energy dissipation value was aimed to become 0.01 m^2/s^3.

Instruments:

Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) for micron-sized particles and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) for nano-sized particles

Individual Files: