LONG-TERM FATE OF A HEAVY FUEL OIL IN A SPILL-CONTAMINATED B.C.

The fate of accidently spilled No. 5 fuel oil in a small coastal bay was observed 6 times during 4 yr. The oil's composition was first changed by loss of the lower molecular weight components by evaporation and dissolution. Biodegradation accounted for almost complete removal of n-alkanes in the 1st yr. Pristance and phytane were biodegraded more slowly, but were almost completely gone in 4 yr. The non-n-alkane components in the nC sub 28-36 range seem to be the most resistant to degradation of all the comonents resolved in the gas chromatograms. The resistance to degradation of these components indicates their potential for long-term studies of oil spills.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Symposium on Recovery Potential of Oiled Marine Northern Environments, Halifax, N.S., Canada, October 10-14, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  Department of Fisheries and the Environment

  Fisheries and Marine Service, 116 Lisgar
  Ottawa, ONo K1A OH3,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Cretney, W J
  • Wong, C S
  • GREEN, D R
• Publication Date: 1978-5

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 521-527
• Serial:
  • Canada. Fisheries Research Board, Journal
  • Volume: 35
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Department of Fisheries and the Environment

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodeterioration; Deterioration; Evaporation; Fuel oils; Heavy oils; Impacts; Oil spills; Oils
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil degradation; Oil evaporation; Oil spill behavior; Oil spill impact
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00193566
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Data Courier, Incorporated
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 25 1979 12:00AM