THE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION OF MARINE HYDROCARBONS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

The basis of a method for the source identification of oil spills by gas chromatographic analysis ('Fingerprinting') is described. Characteristic compositional parameters for eight different crude oils are given. The environmental degradation of oil by evaporation, dissolution, and bacterial decompositon is discussed. Distinguishing compositional features are still recognizable after more than eight methods of weathering. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by the tentative source identification of two samples of beach tar. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Also available in Environmental Pollution, V3, pp 179-194, 1972.
• Corporate Authors:

  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

  Woods Hole, MA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Ehrhardt, M
  • Blumer, M
• Publication Date: 1972-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 18 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution sources; Detectors; Gas chromatography; Identification systems; Oil spill cleanup; Pollution control; Water quality management
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil spill detection; Oil spill identification
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00043221
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: WHOI-Contrib-2696 Tech Rpt
• Contract Numbers: N00014-66-C-0241, NSF-GA-19472
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 6 1973 12:00AM