Scientists are cautioning that neglecting to maintain oil and gas pipelines in the North Sea could result in the release of harmful substances like mercury, radioactive lead, and polonium-210. These substances have been linked to the poisoning of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko.

Mercury, an extremely toxic element, occurs naturally in oil and gas. It sticks to the inside of pipelines and builds up over time, being released into the sea when the pipeline corrodes.

The pipelines release a highly toxic form of mercury called methylmercury, while other forms can transform into it. According to the international Minamata convention on mercury, high levels of this substance in dolphins, whales, and seals can result in reproductive issues, changes in behavior, and even death. Additionally, seabirds and large predatory fish like tuna and swordfish are at a high risk for harm.

According to a scientist named Lhiam Paton, who works at the University of Graz’s Institute for Analytical Chemistry, he has expressed concern about the presence of mercury pollution. He informed both the Guardian and Watershed Investigations that even a slight rise in mercury levels in the ocean can significantly affect the animals at the highest level of the food chain.

The North Sea contains approximately 27,000km (16,800 miles) of gas pipelines, and experts estimate that the amount of metal present in the sea could potentially see an increase of anywhere between 3% to 160% from its current levels. While some countries, like Australia, have regulations in place that require companies to remove pipelines once the oil well is no longer in use, companies operating in the North Sea are permitted to leave them to deteriorate.

According to Paton’s research published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, pipelines that are abandoned on the seabed may contain large amounts of mercury that could be released into the surrounding marine environment as they corrode over time. The potential consequences of this are currently unpredictable, but it is well known that mercury accumulation within the marine food chain is already significant. An increase in oceanic mercury levels would likely have negative effects.

The impact on animals and food webs will vary based on the type of mercury released from the deteriorating pipelines. Certain forms of mercury are less likely to be absorbed by marine creatures compared to others. Dr. Darren Koppel, a scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, explains that not all of the mercury from a corroded pipeline will enter the ocean. Instead, it is expected to be distributed among sediment, water, living organisms, and the atmosphere, contributing to the overall global mercury cycle.

According to Koppel, there is still a need for further research to determine the appropriate level of mercury cleanliness in pipelines to prevent any potential long-term effects on the marine ecosystem. This involves studying the long-term behavior of mercury in contaminated pipelines and identifying the factors that contribute to its transfer into food chains.

Scientists are concerned about more than just Mercury. Dr. Tom Cresswell, from Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, is studying the effects of naturally occurring radioactive materials found in certain oil and gas reservoirs beneath the ocean floor. These substances, like dissolved radium, can be extracted along with the oil and gas and may accumulate as deposits inside pipelines.

Cresswell stated that Radium will undergo physical decay, resulting in the formation of radioactive lead (210Pb) and polonium (210Po). These substances have the potential to be absorbed by marine organisms, posing a radiological hazard to them. Cresswell urged for further investigation on this matter.

Hugo Tagholm, the head of Oceana UK, stated that this problem is another illustration of the severe damage caused by oil and gas projects on marine animals. He further explained that mercury, a harmful toxin, can build up in the brains of animals, resulting in widespread damage to the nervous system and potentially causing death.

In the latest round of licensing, the North Sea Transition Authority revealed that 24 fresh licenses for oil and gas have been granted to firms including Shell, Equinor, BP, Total, and Neo.

The United Kingdom is a participant in the Minamata convention, a contract designed to address the issue of mercury contamination. This convention was named after the city of Minamata in Japan, which suffered from mercury poisoning due to the release of industrial wastewater. The pollution affected marine life in the bay, resulting in fatalities and causing severe disabilities in those who consumed seafood from the area.

Monika Stankiewicz, from the secretariat of the Minamata convention, stated that the consequences of releasing high quantities of mercury from decommissioned pipelines into the environment are difficult to foresee, particularly in the long run. The North Sea, with its diverse ecosystem and the multitude of individuals relying on it, would face heightened risks.

Ricky Thomson, the decommissioning manager for Offshore Energies UK, stated that the industry assumes complete accountability for fulfilling its duties according to both national and international laws. Additionally, all decommissioning plans prioritize assessing environmental impact before commencing operations.

During the decommissioning process, operators will request various permits and consents from the offshore environmental regulator Opred. The operator must assess potential environmental risks and implement suitable mitigation measures.

According to current rules, in cases where infrastructure cannot be completely removed, the final decommissioning plan involves a process of comparing and evaluating environmental, societal, safety, technical, and economic factors. This is done to ensure that the decision takes into account all of these aspects.

Opred is a division within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). According to a representative from the department, they do not agree with the findings of this report, as it fails to acknowledge the regular maintenance that is conducted on all oil and gas pipelines. Operators closely monitor corrosion levels and take measures to minimize the presence of harmful substances, such as mercury, throughout the lifespan of these pipelines.

“Before shutting down oil and gas fields, the pipeline is flushed and filled with seawater to reduce the amount of contaminants.”

In response to DESNZ’s declaration, Paton expressed that it is not logical to believe that using seawater to flush out any problems would be effective. In fact, returning the water into the ocean could potentially increase the chances of contamination. Furthermore, if the water used to flush the extensive pipeline is treated to eliminate mercury, there must be evidence that all of the mercury has been completely removed from the walls of the pipeline. It is evident that there is a necessity for transparency, cooperation, and additional investigation.

Currently, there are approximately 1.3 million kilometers of oil and gas pipelines installed worldwide.

Source: theguardian.com