Use of fluorescence spectroscopy for monitoring petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in estuarine and ocean waters.

Abstract

The aromatic hydrocarbon content of extracted water samples were estimated by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Solutions were excited at 300 nm, the emission scanned from 310-500 nm and the fluorescence emission intensity of the main peaks measured and reported as equivalents of m-terphenyl (lambda/sub em/330 nm) and chrysene (lambda/sub em/ 380 nm). The fluorescence emission of the reagent impurities was measured as the blank. Results show that if fluorescence spectroscopy is to be used to monitor petroleum contamination of estuarine and seawaters, the fluorescence emission of extracts should be measured at least at two wavelenghts (330 nm; 380 nm) to allow the detection of fuel oil, lubricating oil and crude oil inputs. A preliminary clean up of extracts is not usually required, thus the measurement of the fluorescence emission of water extracts provides a rapid means of monitoring petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. (JMT)