Mechanistic Insights into Mitigating Spilled Oil on Shorelines with Biobased Coatings: Oil Transport Behavior and Enhanced Biodegradation Dynamics

Abstract

The coating approach offers a promising solution for effective oil removal from shorelines by facilitating oil release for physical recovery and enhancing oil biodegradation. Changes in oil transport and fate after coating deployment are closely associated with the entire coastal ecosystem. This study investigated how the biobased coating impacts oil transport behavior under various scenarios and oil fate within simulated coastal systems and revealed the mechanism underlying these features. Results showed coated gravel achieved extremely low levels of oil residue (below 2%), reduced oil dispersion, and ensured the majority of oil floated on the water surface (up to 90%), aligning well with various expectations for shoreline cleanup. Observations regarding effects of coastal hydrodynamic characteristics indicated that even minimal wave energy simulated (0.1 W/kg) easily removed stranded oil with approximately 0.2% residue, while high energy levels promoted oil dispersion and inhibited oil flotation. When only tidal energy is available, the coated shoreline also can alleviate oil penetration into the subsurface by around 10%. For extended periods (up to 28 days), the remaining coating changed the oil fate in coastal settings through enhancing hydrocarbon biodegradation by approximately 16%. These findings provide critical insights into oil behavior in coastal regions during oil spill response.