Characterisation & Source identification of an Oil Spill by infrared Spectroscopy and gas Chromatography

Abstract

An oil spill on a beach in Bombay was characterised for the source identification. Presence of fractions having bp as low as 135ᵒC and very weak IR absorption bands in 1800-1700 cm^-1 region indicated that the spill was of recent origin. High wax (60%) asphaltene (10%) and iron (131 ppm) and other properties revealed that the spill was derived from a tanker sludge. The comparison of the gas chromatographic fingerprint pattern of the spill with several crude oils being handled by Bombay Port revealed that the pattern was superimposable with that of the Bombay High crude. However, the spill did not seem to have originated from the Well-blowout in the Bombay High offshore oilfield.