National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota
The primary focus of the science team at the site is to improve the understanding of the mobilization, attenuation, transport, fate, potential health effects, and remediation of petroleum in the subsurface through collaborative research, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, data, and educational activities.
![Four USGS scientists on a canoe sampling pore water water](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/20170621_161751.jpg?itok=zJWEYePe)
The objective of the project is to improve the understanding of the mobilization, transport, and fate of crude oil in the
shallow subsurface. The U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program began an interdisciplinary research project in 1983 at the site of a crude-oil spill near Bemidji, Minnesota. Research is conducted by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and from several academic institutions. Currently we have four primary research objectives: (1)characterizing the nature, toxicity and prevalence of partial transformation products emanating from the crude oil source, (2) evaluating the secondary impacts [such as arsenic cycling] of biodegradation, (3) understanding the timeframe of natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbon source zones, and (4) developing field tools, methods, and data that support evaluations of environmental health effects of natural attenuation of crude oil.
A fact sheet describing results from the Bemidji research site is available.
The spill occurred in 1979 when a pipeline transporting crude oil broke. After cleanup efforts were completed in 1980, about 400,000 liters of oil remained in the unsaturated zone and near the water table. This continues to be a source of contaminants to a shallow outwash aquifer. The oil is moving as a separate fluid phase, as dissolved petroleum constituents in ground water, and as vapors in the unsaturated zone. Native microbes are converting the petroleum derivatives into carbon dioxide, methane, and other biodegradation products.
The publications below are associated with this project.
Cross section area at the Bemidji Crude Oil spill site
Lessons learned decades after an oil spill faded from headlines
Movement and fate of crude-oil in contaminants in the subsurface environment at Bemidji, Minnesota: Chapter C in U.S. Geological Survey program on toxic waste--ground-water contamination: Proceedings of the Third technical meeting, Pensacola, Florida,
Ground-water contamination by crude oil at the Bemidji, Minnesota, research site- An introduction: Chapter A in Ground-water contamination by crude oil at the Bemidji, Minnesota, research site; US Geological Survey Toxic Waste--ground-water contaminati
Determination of hydraulic conductivity in three dimensions and its relation to dispersivity: Chapter D in Ground-water contamination by crude oil at the Bemidji, Minnesota, research site; US Geological Survey Toxic Waste--ground-water contamination st
Ground-water contamination by crude oil at the Bemidji, Minnesota, research site; US Geological Survey Toxic Waste--ground-water contamination study
The primary focus of the science team at the site is to improve the understanding of the mobilization, attenuation, transport, fate, potential health effects, and remediation of petroleum in the subsurface through collaborative research, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, data, and educational activities.
![Four USGS scientists on a canoe sampling pore water water](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/20170621_161751.jpg?itok=zJWEYePe)
The objective of the project is to improve the understanding of the mobilization, transport, and fate of crude oil in the
shallow subsurface. The U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program began an interdisciplinary research project in 1983 at the site of a crude-oil spill near Bemidji, Minnesota. Research is conducted by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and from several academic institutions. Currently we have four primary research objectives: (1)characterizing the nature, toxicity and prevalence of partial transformation products emanating from the crude oil source, (2) evaluating the secondary impacts [such as arsenic cycling] of biodegradation, (3) understanding the timeframe of natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbon source zones, and (4) developing field tools, methods, and data that support evaluations of environmental health effects of natural attenuation of crude oil.
A fact sheet describing results from the Bemidji research site is available.
The spill occurred in 1979 when a pipeline transporting crude oil broke. After cleanup efforts were completed in 1980, about 400,000 liters of oil remained in the unsaturated zone and near the water table. This continues to be a source of contaminants to a shallow outwash aquifer. The oil is moving as a separate fluid phase, as dissolved petroleum constituents in ground water, and as vapors in the unsaturated zone. Native microbes are converting the petroleum derivatives into carbon dioxide, methane, and other biodegradation products.
The publications below are associated with this project.