Chemical characterization of natural and anthropogenic-derived oil residues on Gulf of Mexico beaches. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morrison, Alexandra E.; Dhoonmoon, Charvanaa; White, Helen K.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 137(2018)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 508
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Deepwater Horizon -- Petroleum -- Asphalt -- Tar -- Seeps; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Oil residues originating from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident persist on Gulf of Mexico beaches alongside oil from offshore industrial activity, natural seepage, and asphalt from parking lots and roads. To determine the primary differences in the chemical composition of these oil residues, a variety of samples were collected from beaches from Florida to Alabama over a two-year period from 2015 to 2017. Bulk chemical characteristics of the oil residues were examined via gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and mass spectrometry (GC–MS), as well as thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR). These bulk chemical analyses revealed features unique to the different sample types, expanding our understanding of the chemical composition and variability of persistent oil residues, and providing a means to detect and monitor their long-term fate in the coastal environment. Highlights: Oil residues on Gulf coast beaches originate from anthropogenic and natural sources. Deepwater Horizon oil residues continue to persist and oxidize in the environment. Bulk chemical analysis can be used to rapidly distinguish different oil residues.