The effects of drill cuttings on a model marine sediment system

Abstract An onshore tank system was used to model marine sediment contaminated with water-, diesel oil- and paraffinic oil-based cuttings from offshore drilling installations. The relative environmental impact of the different cuttings was assessed over a 12-month period in terms of changes in sediment microbiology and chemistry. Changes in hydrocarbon chemistry were also determined to provide information on oil composition and mechanisms of oil loss from the cuttings. Water-based cuttings proved least damaging to the sediment system, only depressing Eh levels below those of control sediments during the first 3 months of exposure. Both types of oil-based cuttings stimulated microbial activity, depressing sediment Eh levels and increasing sulphide concentrations. The effects were less severe in more lightly contaminated sediments. Oil losses were proportionally greater from more dispersed cuttings and were dependent on both physical and biological weathering. Sediments heavily dosed with oil-based cuttings became anaerobic and failed to support hydrocarbon biodegradation. More dispersed low dosage applications were more readily susceptible to microbial attack.

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