The Rate of Crude Oil Biodegradation in the Sea

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03207
• Publication Date: 2016-10-04T21:34:38Z
• Authors: Roger C. Prince; Josh D. Butler; Aaron D. Redman
• Keywords: Dilution

Various groups have studied the rate of oil biodegradation in sea over many years, but with no consensus on results. This can be attributed to factors, we show here that principal confounding influence is concentration used different experiments. Because dilution, measured concentrations dispersed are sub-parts-per-million within a day dispersal, and at such detectable hydrocarbons has an apparent half-life 7-14 days. contrasted degradation higher found slicks or when stranded shoreline; there varies from months years.