Underwater recovery of submerged oil during a cold weather response

Abstract

On February 5, 1996, a failed gasket on a transfer system between two 700,000-gallon storage tanks caused a spill of coal tar. The spill migrated through an outfall and entered the Detroit River. Eventually it was determined that 3500 gallons of the heavy coal tar had entered the river and sunk to the bottom. Responders used submersible pumps powered by hydraulic power packs and an environmental clamshell dredge to recover the submerged coal tar. Responders constantly battled subzero temperatures on the shore and frigid temperatures below the surface throughout the entire operation. Water recovered during the operation was filtered and discharged on site under the direction of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. This case study presents the spill response community with an in-depth view of submerged oil recovery during unusual and harsh conditions.