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Biodegradability of Orimulsion and Heavy Oils
Orimulsion is a product that is being marketed throughout the world by Venezuela for use in power plants as a substitute for No. 6 fuel oil. It consists of an emulsion of heavy bitumen and water. In the event of a spill in the environment, it is important that its fate can be tracked and response procedures devised. This study is evaluating the biodegradability of Orimulsion and other heavy fuel oils. In-house laboratory experiments have been completed and an article that presents a comparison of its biodegradability with No. 6 fuel oil is planned for publication. The results of the Orimulsion experiment were presented at the International Oil Spill Conference in Vancouver in April. The results are also important to the modeling projects that are being conducted by the U.S. EPA laboratory in Athens, GA. The objective of these projects is to determine the fate of spilled oil in the environment.Contact: Albert D. Venosa, USEPA (EIMS#56295)