Identification of persistent oil residues in Prince William Sound, Alaska using rapid spectroscopic techniques. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: White, Helen K.; Morrison, Alexandra E.; Dhoonmoon, Charvanaa; Caballero-Gomez, Hasibe; Luu, Michelle; Samuels, Camille; Marx, Charles T.; Michel, Anna P.M.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 161:Part B(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Exxon -- Valdez -- Earthquake -- Petroleum -- Asphalt -- Tar; 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.2020.111718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

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. Highlights: Spectroscopic techniques enable identification of oil residues in the environment. Oil from the Exxon Valdez spill is distinguishable from oil from other sources. Classification models have success rates of 92% and 86% for ATR-FTIR and XRF data.