Abstract
Surface pelagic tar concentrations in the equatorial South Atlantic Ocean were low (< 0.001 to 14.6 mg m −2). With one exception, concentrations were less than 0.5 mg m −2. The tars were characterized by gravimetry, carbon isotopic composition, molecular compositions (gas chromatographically), sulphur content, total fluorescence spectra, and biological marker fingerprints. Most tars exhibited significant amounts of degradation. A total fluorescence technique was used to group the tars into two basic types. One type occurred at low concentrations and appeared to be due to chronic long-term oil pollution in the South Atlantic Ocean. The second group occurred at much higher concentrations and was associated with more coastal-influenced waters. Biological marker (triterpanes and steranes) fingerprints confirmed the fluorescence groupings. Carbon isotopic composition and pristane/phytane ratios exhibited few geographical trends.
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