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Analysis of hydrocarbons in sediments as indicators of pollution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

A. G. Douglas ,
P. B. Hall ,
B. Bowler  and
P. F. V. Williams
A. G. Douglas
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Department of Geology, Drummond Building, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
P. B. Hall
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Department of Geology, Drummond Building, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
B. Bowler
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Department of Geology, Drummond Building, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
P. F. V. Williams
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Department of Geology, Drummond Building, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
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Synopsis

After a brief review of some general procedures that have been proposed for the identification of oil spills, details are given of methods that depend on hydrocarbon analyses. Hydrocarbon distributions due to a biological input are compared to those from a petroleum input, utilising hydrocarbon fingerprints obtained by gas chromatographic and combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods.

It has been shown that most of the sediment samples collected in 1976, 1977 and 1978 from sampling stations in and around Sullom Voe are substantially free from pollution by crude oil; however, three of the samples collected during 1978 do show some signs of pollution. These data will act as a baseline for future studies to be carried out during the operation of the oil terminal.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 80: The marine environment of Sullom Voe and the implication of oil developments , 1981 , pp. 113 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1981

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