UCI’s Role in Determining Deep Horizon

Blowout on Local Air Quality

 Methane, ppmv
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Longitude
 Carbon monoxide, ppbv
Latitude

Longitude
 Propane, ppbv
Latitude

Longitude
 i-Pentane, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 i-Pentane, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 Benzene, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 n-Hexane, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 n-Hexane, ppbv
Latitude

Longitude
 n-Nonane, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 n-Nonane, pptv
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Longitude
 Cyclohexane, pptv
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Longitude
 Cyclohexane, pptv
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Longitude
 Methylcyclohexane, pptv
Latitude

Two dark red points: ~ 20 ppbv

Longitude
 Methylcyclohexane, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 1,2,4-Trimethyl Benzene, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 m+p-Xylene, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
 m+p-Xylene, pptv
Latitude

Longitude
Aromatics
 Aromatics

•  Highest in the SE corner of the box around DWH

•  Very similar features during 3 transects at

different altitudes
n-Hexane (pptv) vs Longitude
30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
-90.5 -90 -89.5 -89 -88.5 -88 -87.5 -87 -86.5 -86 -85.5
Methylcyclohexane mixing ratio
in pptv vs Time in seconds
25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
60000 65000 70000 75000 80000 85000
n-Pentane vs i-Pentane (pptv)
25000

y = 1.2843x + 52.622
R² = 0.9981
20000

15000

10000

5000

0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000
Aromatics vs. Alkanes+Alkenes
•  AWAS samples collected
from boat

•  Aromatics are ~10% of

total non-methane
hydrocarbons

•  >C6 alkanes are largest

contributors

Thanks: Don Blake & NSF

 Gulf oil full of methane, adding new concerns

NEW ORLEANS – It is an overlooked danger in the oil spill crisis: The crude gushing
from the well contains vast amounts of natural gas that could pose a serious threat
to the Gulf of Mexico's fragile ecosystem.
The oil emanating from the seafloor contains about 40 percent methane, compared
with about 5 percent found in typical oil deposits, said John Kessler, a Texas A&M
University oceanographer who is studying the impact of methane from the spill.
That means huge quantities of methane have entered the Gulf, scientists say,
potentially suffocating marine life and creating "dead zones" where oxygen is so
depleted that nothing lives.
"This is the most vigorous methane eruption in modern human history," Kessler said.
Methane is a colorless, odorless and flammable substance that is a major
component in the natural gas used to heat people's homes. Petroleum engineers
typically burn off excess gas attached to crude before the oil is shipped off to the
refinery. That's exactly what BP has done as it has captured more than 7.5 million
gallons of crude from the breached well.
 Where is the missing Methane???
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