While most of the oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from t

While most of the oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in 2010 has disappeared, some of the oil spilled from the Exxon Valdez oil tanker into Prince William Sound, Alaska, in 1989 still remains in the coastal sand and sediments. What possible differences in these two spills could account for the different rate of petroleum degradation?

A) the amount of oil spilled and the seawater salts composition

B) temperature and the types of hydrocarbons present

C) the types of bacteria present and the amount of oxygen in the water

D) seawater salt compoosition and types of bacteria

Solution

Answer:

B) temperature and the types of hydrocarbons present

The rate of degradation depends on the spilled oil\'s composition and properties eg.Petroleum Hydrocarbons, the volume of oil that reaches the shore, the types of beach and coastal sediments and rocks contacted by the oil, the impact of the weather events, and seasonal and climatic conditions. These conditions may accelerate or delay these processes.