Characterizations and comparison of low sulfur fuel oils compliant with 2020 global sulfur cap regulation for international shipping. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nelson, Robert K.; Scarlett, Alan G.; Gagnon, Marthe Monique; Holman, Alex I.; Reddy, Christopher M.; Sutton, Paul A.; Grice, Kliti
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 180(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: International Maritime Organisation -- Biomarkers -- Fuel oil -- Heterocyclics -- GC × GC -- Mass spectrometry; 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.2022.113791
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The International Marine Organization 2020 Global Sulfur Cap requires ships to burn fuels with <0.50% S and some countries require <0.10% S in certain Sulfur Emission Control Areas but little is known about these new types of fuels. Using both traditional GC–MS and more advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques, plus stable isotopic, δ 13 C and δ 2 H, analyses of pristane, phytane and n -alkanes, the organic components of a suite of three 0.50% S and three 0.10% S compliant fuels were characterized. Two oils were found to be near identical but all of the remaining oils could be forensically distinguished by comparison of their molecular biomarkers and by the profiles of the heterocyclic parent and alkylated homologues. Oils could also be differentiated by their δ 13 C and δ 2 H of n -alkanes and isoprenoids. This study provides important forensic data that may prove invaluable in the event of future oil spills. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Range of analytical techniques used to characterise IMO-2020 low sulfur fuel oils Biomarker ratios derived from both GC–MS of oil fractions and GC × GC-FID whole oils Biomarkers successfully used to forensically discriminate individual oils Unique profiles of parent and alkylated homologues of heterocyclic compounds High resolution mass spectra provided for range of biomarkers and heterocyclics