Mesurement of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in intertidal water using Gas Chromatography after the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill

Abstract

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in seawater was determined using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector to understand the contamination and distribution pattern of oil at intertidal region along the coasts of Taean County since December 2007, right after the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill. The first comprehensive survey on its impact was initiated in December 2007. A follow up was executed on a monthly basis at 7 sites and on seasonally at about 30 sites afterwards. Concentrations of TPH in seawater were relatively high up to 107,000 ㎍/L in Gurumpo Beach during December 2007, but decreased dramatically to 1.97 ~ 172 ㎍/L in one month after the spill. Water TPH concentrations were much higher in flood tide due to re-suspension of stranded oil than those in ebb tide at the same sites. Water TPH levels fluctuated during the first three weeks after the spill, which matched well with spring and neap tide cycle in the study areas. The one year monitoring study revealed that oil content in seawater decreased clearly in most stations, albeit regional fluctuations of oil contamination were noted due to shoreline cleanup activities.