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Powell Duffryn Chemical Fire and Release

Resources at Risk for Savannah River Explosion (Turpentine Spill) -  - I. - Spill Source
Information -  - This report was prepared at 10:00 EST on 11 April 1995.  Information in
the report is based on the assumption that a spill of 200,000 gallons (400,000 gallons are
estimated to have burned) of crude sulfate turpentine occurred two miles below Savannah,
Georgia.  There is also a potential for the release of 300,000 gallons of sodium
hydrosulfide. -  - II. - Geographic Region Covered -  - The area covered by this resources
at risk extends up the Savannah River to Port Wentworth, down to the mouth, and includes
interconnected waterways.  This area does not necessarily correspond to actual or
potential locations of the spilled material.  Consult other Hotline reports for locational
information. -  - III. - Expected Behavior of the Spilled Material -  - Turpentine is
expected to spread to a very thin sheen, covering a large area.  It is very water-like, so
it will be carried by tides and wind to wherever water goes (as compared to more viscous
substances such as heavy oils that get trapped by dense vegetation and restricted to the
outer marsh fringe).  With such a large volume of product that is only moderately
volatile, extensive areas are likely to be affected.  Turpentine is listed as insoluble in
water, meaning that it's solubility is less than about 1,000 ppm.  With only moderate
volatility, the product will stay around long enough to dissolve and disperse into the
water column.  Available toxicity data indicate LC-50 values of 10-100 ppm, so there is a
significant risk to fish and shellfish in the water column, and to other kinds of animals
that live in the marsh sediments and on the marsh vegetation. -Sodium hydrosulfide is
water soluble and is currently in a water solution.  The specific gravity of the solution
is about 1.3.  The density of the product will likely cause the substance to sink and
remain near the bottom.  If the product enters the river, it may move downslope to the
deeper parts of the river (such as channel bottoms).  Bottom living organisms will be most
at risk until the product becomes diluted.  Toxicity information is scarce, but aquatic
toxicity may occur around 200 ppm. -  - IV. - Shoreline Resources at Risk -  - Most of the
riverine shoreline in the area is dominated by intertidal marshes.  Along the main river
and intracoastal waterway, there is a steep clay scarp, with marsh vegetation behind it.
Although we have no data or observations from previous spills on the toxicity of
turpentine to marsh vegetation, we expect that it will be acutely toxic to all vegetation
it comes in contact with for an extended period of time.  There are reports that much of
the spilled material is covering marsh vegetation.  Maximum spring tides occur on
Saturday, 15 April, so each tide will push the product higher and lower (vertically) on
the shoreline and further into the marsh, causing more vegetation and sediments to come in
contact with the product.  There could be extensive mortality in the marsh area where the
turpentine is concentrated.  If possible, actions should be taken to prevent the further
spread of the product to other areas. -  - V. - Biological Resources at Risk -  -  - Fish
-  - There are many fish species in the Savannah River system.  Important species that are
spawning at this time include:  sheepshead minnow, mummichug, Atlantic silversides,
striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, spotted seatrout, and weakfish.  Larval stages of spot,
kingfish, red drum, black drum, and flounder are in the estuary.  There are also juveniles
and adults of many other species of fish present including: menhaden, Bay anchovy,
ladyfish, blueback herring, American shad, sheepshead, pinfish, Atlantic croaker, and
striped mullet.  With the toxicity of the product and the large volumes that have been
spilled, mortality of fish can be expected. -  - The sodium hydrosulfide would most likely
impact the shallow water areas near the source of the spill and any bottom dwelling fish
in the vicinity.  The fish that are in the water column are not as likely to be impacted
by the sodium hydrosulfide. -  -  - Shellfish -  - Currently there are blue crabs, and
brown and white shrimp in the Savannah River estuary system.  Juveniles of both crab and
shrimp are present, and adult crabs are mating during this time of year.  The juveniles
are typically in shallow nearshore waters.  Similar to the fish, kills of juveniles and
possibly adult blue crabs and shrimp are expected in areas where turpentine is
concentrated.  Also present downstream from the spill site are oyster beds.  Oysters
concentrate contaminants that are in the water column.  Tainting of the tissue is
possible, but mortality is not likely, unless the product gets concentrated over the
oyster beds. -  - Sodium hydrosulfide may impact adult blue crabs which are in the deeper
water areas.  With the exception of where the product enters the water, shallow waters and
nearshore areas may not be contaminated by the sodium hydrosulfide. -  -  - Birds -  -
Most of the summer shorebirds have not yet arrived, and most of the migratory and
overwintering waterfowl have already departed from the area.  There are cormorants, gulls,
and wading birds present in the vicinity of the spill, and brown pelicans downstream from
the spill in the more open waters near the mouth of the Savannah River.  The turpentine
fumes and irritating odor should keep most birds away from the spill site.  If birds do
get into the turpentine, the  most likely cause of death would be toxic reactions to
ingesting the turpentine while preening contaminated feathers.  There may also be adverse
effects to the birds from breathing the fumes.  The human health limit is 100 ppm in the
air.  This concentration may also affect the birds. -  - Once the sodium hydrosulfide is
in the water there will likely be little impact to the birds from this substance. -  -  -
Reptiles -  - Alligators are present throughout the marsh areas.  Like the birds, the
alligators will probably avoid the turpentine.  They may also be impacted by breathing the
turpentine fumes. -  - VI. - Human-Use Resources at Risk -  -  - With a TLV of 100 ppm
human health and safety is the primary consideration.  The river upstream of the spill
site is a major port facility.