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White HK, Morrison AE, Dhoonmoon C, Caballero-Gomez H, Luu M, Samuels C, Marx CT, Michel APM. Identification of persistent oil residues in Prince William Sound, Alaska using rapid spectroscopic techniques. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 161:111718. [PMID: 33038711 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Spectroscopic techniques including X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) are used to examine oil residues persisting on shorelines in Prince William Sound that originate from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and oil released as a consequence of the 1964 Great Alaska earthquake. When coupled to classification models, ATR-FTIR and XRF spectral data can be used to distinguish between the two sources of oil with 92% and 86% success rates for the two techniques respectively. Models indicate that the ATR-FTIR data used to determine oil source includes the CO stretch, the twisting-scissoring of the CH2 group, and the CC stretch. For XRF data, decision tree models primarily utilize the abundance of nickel and zinc present in the oil as a means to classify source. This approach highlights the utility of rapid, field-based spectroscopic techniques to distinguish different inputs of oil to coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen K White
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA.
| | - Alexandra E Morrison
- Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Charvanaa Dhoonmoon
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Hasibe Caballero-Gomez
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Michelle Luu
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Camille Samuels
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Charles T Marx
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Anna P M Michel
- Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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Veerasingam S, Al-Khayat JA, Haseeba KP, Aboobacker VM, Hamza S, Vethamony P. Spatial distribution, structural characterization and weathering of tarmats along the west coast of Qatar. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 159:111486. [PMID: 32892920 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Oil pollution resulting from natural and anthropogenic activities in the Arabian Gulf as well as oil residue in the form of tarmat (TM) deposited on the coast is a major environmental concern. The spatial distribution, chemical composition and weathering pattern of tarmat along the west coast of Qatar has been assessed based on the TM samples collected from 12 coastal regions. The range of TM distribution is 0-104 g m-1 with an average value of 9.25 g m-1. Though the current TM level is thirty-fold lesser than that was found during 1993-1997 (average 290 g m-1), the distribution pattern is similar. The results of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy indicate that aromatic compounds are higher in the north (N) coast TMs than those found in the northwest (NW) and southwest (SW) coasts, and Carbonyl Index values indicate that TM of NW coast is highly weathered compared to those found in the N and SW coasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Veerasingam
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jassim A Al-Khayat
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - K P Haseeba
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - V M Aboobacker
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shafeeq Hamza
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - P Vethamony
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Lemkau KL, Reddy CM, Carmichael CA, Aeppli C, Swarthout RF, White HK. Hurricane Isaac brings more than oil ashore: Characteristics of beach deposits following the Deepwater Horizon spill. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213464. [PMID: 30883566 PMCID: PMC6422254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to Hurricane Isaac making landfall along the Gulf of Mexico coast in August 2012, local and state officials were concerned that the hurricane would mobilize submerged oiled-materials from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill. In this study, we investigated materials washed ashore following the hurricane to determine if it affected the chemical composition or density of oil-containing sand patties regularly found on Gulf Coast beaches. While small changes in sand patty density were observed in samples collected before and after the hurricane, these variations appear to have been driven by differences in sampling location and not linked to the passing of Hurricane Isaac. Visual and chemical analysis of sand patties confirmed that the contents was consistent with oil from the Macondo well. Petroleum hydrocarbon signatures of samples collected before and after the hurricane showed no notable changes. In the days following Hurricane Isaac, dark-colored mats were also found on the beach in Fort Morgan, AL, and community reports speculated that these mats contained oil from the DWH spill. Chemical analysis of these mat samples identified n-alkanes but no other petroleum hydrocarbons. Bulk and δ13C organic carbon analyses indicated mat samples were comprised of marshland peat and not related to the DWH spill. This research indicates that Hurricane Isaac did not result in a notable change the composition of oil delivered to beaches at the investigated field sites. This study underscores the need for improved communications with interested stakeholders regarding how to differentiate oiled from non-oiled materials. This is especially important given the high cost of removing oiled debris and the increasing likelihood of false positives as oiled-materials washing ashore from a spill become less abundant over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin L. Lemkau
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher M. Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherine A. Carmichael
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christoph Aeppli
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine, United States of America
| | - Robert F. Swarthout
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science Program, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Helen K. White
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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