ITOPF visits SINTEF, Norway for technical exchange

Using models to predict the fate and behaviour of oil at sea is a well-established tactic in marine pollution response, however new challenges are arising in modelling the highly mobile plastic pellets when released into the marine environment.

ITOPF visited SINTEF Research facilities in Trondheim, Norway for a technical exchange on the topic of modelling plastic pellets, oil, and chemicals at sea. Both organisations shared knowledge and experience of this element of marine pollution response, with ITOPF discussing the operational challenges it has experienced in responding to plastic pellet spills.

Both organisations highlighted the opportunities for further research and discussed the ongoing work both are doing in areas of Hazardous Noxious Substances (HNS) and alternative fuels, with a focus given to low-sulphur fuel oils and how they behave in the marine environment.

The visit featured a tour of SINTEF’s laboratory facilities including state of the art Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) equipment which is capable of analysing complex environmental samples to identify and quantify contaminants present, even in trace amounts.