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Mineral fines act a pivotal part in determining the fate and behavior of oil. In this study, the infiltrations of oil emulsion in simulated sediments and natural shoreline sediments were investigated using a fixed bed experiment. Oil infiltration process was simulated based on fixed-bed dispersion model. The role of mineral fines in oil release was explored using simulated and natural sediments. Although mineral fines exhibited a higher affinity for oil, it was found that increasing fines fractions decreased the flow rate of oil emulsion, thereby decreasing the oil retention in the sediment column. In terms of oil release from the sediment, the highest level of oil mass was observed in the oil-mineral flocculation phase compared to the water column and the water surface compartments. Compared to light crude oil, the release of engine oil from sediment was less. The effects of mineral fines on oil infiltration and release were also confirmed by using natural shoreline sediments. Results of our detailed field studies also showed that current shoreline classification datasets do not characterize the presence and fraction of mineral fines at a level of detail required to accurately predict the significance of oil translocation following spill incidents. [Display omitted] • Shoreline mineral fines act a pivotal part in determining the oil translocation. • Effects of mineral fines in oil infiltration were simulated using fixed-bed model. • Increasing fines fraction decreased the flow velocity and oil retention. • Highest oil mass was observed in the fines-oil flocculation phase. • Shoreline sample analysis underlined the need to explore fine segments for cleanup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the interactions between oil and other particles in shoreline can help determine the environmental risk and cleanup strategy after oil spill. Nevertheless, far less has been known regarding the impact of aged MPs on oil behavior in the shoreline environment. In this study, the aging course of polyethylene (PE) in shaking seawater and ultraviolet (UV) radiation conditions was investigated. The seawater aging mainly affected the physical properties of MPs, increasing its surface pores and hydrophilicity. UV aging significantly affected both the physical and chemical properties of MPs, which increased its hydrophilicity and crystallinity, decreased its mean particle size and introduced oxygen-containing functional groups onto MPs. The two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D COS) analysis confirmed the evolution of oxygen-containing functional groups from C–O to C O. The effects of aged MPs on oil behavior in water-sand system were further explored. The oil remaining percentages were non-linearly changed with the increasing aging degree of MPs. The particle size of the aqueous phase after washing was inversely related to the oil remaining percentage. Further FTIR analysis revealed that C–O and C–H functional groups played an important role in the process of oil adsorbed on MPs. [Display omitted] • The changes of microplastics under seawater-aging and UV-aging are distinctive. • Aged microplastics can impact the transport of oil in shoreline environments. • A higher amount of oil droplet contributes to the aggregation with microplastics. • C–O and C–H functional groups play an important role in the binding process. • Effects are determined by the trade-offs between oil-microplastic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that oil stranded on shoreline substrates can be difficult to remove and cause serious environmental effects. To address this issue, a calcium alginate-cellulose nanocrystal (CA-CNC)-based coating with a unique surface structure and superhydrophobic properties was developed to reduce the extent of shoreline oiling. The results of batch washing test showed that not only did the introduction of CNC not reduce the oil removal efficiency; it also improved the environmental stability of the coating to resist the effects associated with seawater immersion and erosion (especially in the case of 0.4 wt% of CNC). The oil-repellent performance of the coated gravels implied that both oscillation time and oil concentration had almost no effects on the amount of adhered oil. Assessment of oiling prevention based on the laboratory shoreline tank simulator proved the coated gravel performed very well as more oil floated and less oil remained on substrates and penetrated into the subsurface. Biotoxicity analysis showed that the coating powders reduced impacts on the toxicity of the oil to algae at low doses. There is a good potential for the use of this CA-CNC based coating technique to improve shoreline oil spill response. [Display omitted] • A calcium alginate-cellulose nanocrystal-based coating approach was developed. • The coated gravels showed good performance of oil removal and repellence. • The coating exhibited environmental stability in immersion and erosion of seawater. • The feasibility of using coating for oiling prevention was proved in tank tests. • Biotoxicity analysis revealed the coating alleviated the toxicity of oil to algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]