Fast preparation of the seawater accommodated fraction of heavy fuel oil by sonication.
The seawater accommodated fraction (SWAF) of oil is widely used for the assessment of its toxicity. However, its preparation in the laboratory is time consuming, and results from different authors are difficult to compare as preparation methods vary. Here we describe a simple and fast set up, using sonication, to produce reproducible SWAF in the laboratory. The system was tested on heavy fuel oil placed on seawater at different salinity and temperature conditions. Maximum dissolution of the oil was achieved after 24h, independently of both seawater salinity and temperature. Our findings are discussed in relation to the fate of the oil from the deep spill of the Prestige tanker. Changes in temperature in the open ocean are bound to have larger impact in the concentration of the SWAF than the corresponding values of sea water salinity. We anticipate that in this type of incident the highest SWAF, as the oil reaches the sea surface, should be expected in the warmest and less saline waters of the water column.
Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
Saioa
S
Elordui-Zapatarietxe
Joan
J
Albaigés
Antoni
A
Rosell-Melé
D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / Q000379:methods*; D055884:Chemical Hazard Release; D005648:Fuel Oils; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D054712:Salinity; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013010:Sonication / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D005648:Fuel Oils; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons