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OR&R Lecture Series: Dr. Jacqui Michel Speaks on Sunken Oil Mats

JUNE 15, 2020 — What do you get when you mix heavy oil, sand and a light surf? Sunken oil mats (SOMs), that’s what. They are difficult to find, difficult to recover and pose a continued threat to beaches following a major oil spill.

Woman showing something on a shovel to three other people.
Dr. Jaqui Michel of Research Planning, Inc., conducting previous training. Image credit: RPI.

They are difficult to find, difficult to recover and pose a continued threat to beaches following a major oil spill. Over 300 participants learned about SOMs from Dr. Jacqui Michel during Thursday’s lecture on OR&R’s YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW. Dr. Michel is the foremost expert on nonfloating oil and has been a critical part of the OR&R/Emergency Response Division's Scientific Support Team since 1978. She discussed the formation and response to SOMs and NOAA/ERD’s recently published “A Response Guide for Sunken Oil Mats (SOMs): Formation, Behavior, Detection and Recovery,” a guide she wrote. Jacqui stayed around to answer a blizzard of questions from the audience.

Next week: Dr. Bill Lehr, Scientist Emeritus for NOS, discusses liquefied natural gas (LNG) releases. Please join us.

View the list of upcoming lectures and tune in next Thursday: https://noaaorr.adobeconnect.com/orrlectureseries/

For more information or to suggest a lecture, contact Steve.Lehmann@noaa.gov.

Return to OR&R Weekly.

Lecture series poster.
Image credit: NOAA.
Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:46pm PST