Abstract
In June 2016, oil residues and sediment samples were collected from the shoreline of Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, at sites affected by the 1970 Arrow oil spill. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, fate, and behaviour of oil components 45 years post-spill by analysing polar naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) through high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC–HRMS). In all samples, the most abundant NAFC species were those having only oxygen as the heteroatom (Oo species, o indicating the number of oxygen atoms, from 1 to 8) and a high degree of saturation. NAFC species only containing two oxygen atoms (O2) accounted for 50–70% of all Oo species. The abundance of all remaining species was negligible compared with Oo species. NAFCs in most Arrow oil residues had higher levels of oxygen species than the oil remaining stored in the sunken tanker. Environmental sediment samples collected from near a marina away from the spill site contained a dominant biological, whereas all Arrow oil residues were mainly composed of NAFCs that are characteristic of petroleum. The abundance of NAFCs in the Arrow oil residues varied between sites, confirming that site-specific environmental conditions play a major role in controlling the fate and behaviour of oil components, including NAFCs.
Highlights
IntroductionOil residues were deposited on the surface or entered into the sediments along the shoreline after the incident (Owens et al 1994; Vandermeulen and Singh 1994)
We investigate the variability of the chemical composition of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) among sample sites and provide the compositional characteristics of polar NAFCs
Visualisation analysis indicated that the abundance of acidic extracts varied between samples; for example, the NAFC composition in the two source oils differed somewhat
Summary
Oil residues were deposited on the surface or entered into the sediments along the shoreline after the incident (Owens et al 1994; Vandermeulen and Singh 1994). In the years following the Arrow sinking, a series of studies have investigated the fate, behaviour, and environmental effects of the spilled oil (Owens et al 1994, 2008). These studies reported that oil penetrated deep into the sediment to remain as layers or formed asphalt pavement, which eventually became buried under sediment (Owens 1978). Subsurface oil deposits, could become re-exposed because of storms or strong wave action (Owens et al 2006, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
