Assessing the Rate of Natural Seepage of Crude Oil into the Marine Environment

摘要: In 1975, the estimated rate of natural seepage oil into marine environment ranged widely from 200,000 to 6,000,000 mt/a, with a ‘best estimate’ 600,000 mt/a. These rates were based on comprehensive global survey incorporating extensive geological considerations, but used extrapolations only few highly suspect seeps. 1985, little new information had become available, and estimates individual oil-seep not changed significantly. Thus revised estimate was calculated by one us (KAK) assumptions concerning amount crude known be present that could seep over reasonable periods geologic time. The between 20,000 2,000,000 This did imply decreased during intervening years, rather reflected difference in approaches making estimates. Given importance understanding consequences released environment, we have now reassessed oil. Although seeps been identified crude-oil deposits throughout world greatly about 300,000 million mt, technologies, particularly remote sensing techniques, provided better means detection assessment. Studies parts Gulf Mexico, using these resulted an for entire Mexico 150,000 For offshore southern California, annual is mt. Alaska also North American 190,000 mt/a 10,000 mt less than 1985 suggesting value underestimated. To accommodate has more restricted limits set waters ultimately available seepage.