Atmospheric concentration of petroleum derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after the Hebei Spirit oil spill

Abstract

The Hebei Spirit oil spill in December 7th, 2007 was the biggest oil spill in Korea. Approximately 10,900 tons of crude oil (mixtures of Kuwait Export Crude, Iranian Heavy Crude, and UAE Upper Zakum Crude) were spilled along the Taean coast (west coast of South Korea). Thirty percents of total mass of crude oil, mostly volatile hydrocarbons were evaporated at the initial stage of spill. Harner type passive air samplers (PAS) consisting of polyurethane foam were deployed at two spill sites (Gaemok-port and Mallipo) and one reference site (Mageum-ri) for one year after the spill on monthly basis. EPA priority PAHs and alkylated PAHs were measured. Concentrations of 15 PAHs at spill sites were similar to those reported at reference site. On the other hand, concentrations of alkylated PAHs measured at spill sites were significantly higher than that of a reference site right after the spill. In particular, the concentrations and profiles of alkylated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes exhibited strong influence of petroleum derived PAHs inputs. One of oil fingerprinting index, PAHs double ratio using alkylated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes identified petrogenic input source and further implicated environmental fate of volatile fractions of spilled oil. (west coast of South Korea). Thirty percents of total mass of crude oil, mostly volatile hydrocarbons were evaporated at the initial stage of spill. Harner type passive air samplers (PAS) consisting of polyurethane foam were deployed at two spill sites (Gaemok-port and Mallipo) and one reference site (Mageum-ri) for one year after the spill on monthly basis. EPA priority PAHs and alkylated PAHs were measured. Concentrations of 15 PAHs at spill sites were similar to those reported at reference site. On the other hand, concentrations of alkylated PAHs measured at spill sites were significantly higher than that of a reference site right after the spill. In particular, the concentrations and profiles of alkylated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes exhibited strong influence of petroleum derived PAHs inputs. One of oil fingerprinting index, PAHs double ratio using alkylated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes identified petrogenic input source and further implicated environmental fate of volatile fractions of spilled oil.