This presentation will describe results of 2 studies conducted in the aftermath of 2 disasters of �national significance�, Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil release. These 2 studies were conducted to develop process-based information on contaminant fate and transport during the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, high volume air samples were collected during demolition and cleanup operations in the Lakeview district of New Orleans, LA, USA in late 2005. Three different high �volume air samples were collected around waste collection areas that were created to temporarily hold the debris from the cleanup of residential properties in the area. Particulate concentrations were elevated and included crystalline fibers associated with asbestos. Metal concentrations on particulate matter resembled those measured in sediments deposited by floodwaters with the exception of barium, which was elevated at all 3 locations. The highest organic contaminant concentration measured on particulates was the pesticide Ziram (Zinc, bis(diethylcarbamodithioato-S,S')-, (T-4)-) at 2,200 �g/g of particulate matter during sampling period 2.  Ziram is used in latex paint, adhesives, caulking and wallboard as a preservative. Fungal isolates developed from particulate air samples included species associated with disease including Aspergillus and Penicillium species. Immediately after the Deepwater Horizon release, biogeochemical conditions impacting the biodegradation of residual oil on a coastal headland beach in Louisiana were investigated. Studies described below investigated biodegradability of stable emulsified oil:sand aggregates, termed surface residue balls or SRBs, which represent the primary form of residual oil remaining on the beach environment. SRB aggregates were sampled across transects perpendicular to the beach from the intertidal to the supratidal from 2010-2012.  Areas in the supratidal that were sampled were set aside for research purposes and not altered by any clean-up activities. Chemical and physical characteristics of SRBs were measured including concentrations of n-alkanes, PAHs, hopanes, nutrients, and electron acceptor concentrations (including O2 microprofiles). Microbial characterization of SRBs was also conducted using DGGE and sequencing. Results focused on comparing and contrasting impacts of biogeochemistry on biodegradation of oil stranded in 3 beach microenvironments; supratidal surface; subtidal subsurface (permanently inundated) and intertidal subsurface samples (intermittently inundated). These data will be discussed in the context of conducting scientific studies from academic institutions during disasters managed under the National Response Plan and National Response Framework.

Science during disasters of national significance: Two recent case studies

245th National Meeting (2013)

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