Spectrochemical study for the in situ detection of oil spill residues using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta Vol. 683; no. 1; pp. 52 - 57
• Main Authors: Fortes, F.J., Ctvrtnícková, T., Mateo, M.P., Cabalín, L.M., Nicolas, G., Laserna, J.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 17.12.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Crude oil; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel residue; Fuels; Global environmental pollution; Heavy metals; Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; LIBS; Oil spill; Oil spills; Pollution; Residues; Samples; Spectrometric and optical methods; Spectroscopy; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; ANE, Spain, Galicia; Oil spill; Fuel residue; LIBS; Heavy metals; Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; In situ; Laboratory; Analyzer; Characterization; Emission spectrometry; Crude oil; Chemical composition; Peak; Sample; Use; Environmental control; Heavy metal; Statistical method; Line intensity; Pulsed laser; Residue; Fuel; Portable equipment; Laser produced plasma; Detection
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2010.09.053

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to identify the differences or similarities between crude oil and fuel residues. Firstly, a man portable LIBS analyzer was used for the on-site environmental control and analysis of the oil spill from The Prestige. An exhaustive analysis of crude oil and oil spill residues (collected during the field campaign in the Galician Coast) was performed in the laboratory. Characteristics elements in petroleum such as C, H, N, O, Mg, Na, Fe and V were detected. In addition, contributions from Ca, Si and Al in the composition of residues have been found. The use of intensity ratios of line and band emissions in the original fuel (crude oil) and in the aged residues allowed a better characterization of the samples than the simple use of peak intensities. The chemical composition between the crude oil and the fuel residues was found completely different. As well, a statistical method was employed in order to discriminate residues. Although significant differences were observed, no conclusions in terms of age and provenance could be reached due to the unknowledgment in the origin of the samples.