HIGH SEAS OIL POLLUTION: PARTICULATE PETROLEUM RESIDUES IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

During a continuing investigation into the occurrence and distribution of particulate petroleum residues on the surface of the North Atlantic greater than 850 samples were collected in 1971-74 on transects between the E coast of Canada and South America, the Caribbean, Baffin Bay and surrounding waters, the Labrador Sea, and the Azores. Repeated sampling was carried out in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the region between Nova Scotia and Bermuda. Waters north of the Gulf Stream-North Atlantic current system were virtually free from floating petroleum residues, while the waters of the Gulf Stream, Sargasso Sea, and Caribben Sea were much more heavily polluted. Although concentrations less than 91.8 mg/sq m were encountered, the general level of pollution was much less; tar contents in southern waters followed a lognormal distribution with a geometric mean of 0.16 gm/sq m. The geographical distribution of tar is to be interpreted in terms of inputs from shipping and tanker traffic, and surface circulation patterns.

• Corporate Authors:

  Information Canada

  Publishing Division
  Ottawa K1A OS9,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Levy, E M
• Publication Date: 1976-12

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 2781-91
• Serial:
  • Canada. Fisheries Research Board, Journal
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 32
  • Publisher: Information Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Oceans; Oil spills; Pollution
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157251
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Pollution Abstracts
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 1977 12:00AM