Identification and quantification of mixed sources of oil spills based on distributions and isotope profiles of long-chain n-alkanes.
Combined with quantitative determination of concentration and isotopic composition of petroleum hydrocarbons, weathering simulation experiments on artificially mixed oils and their two end-member oils are performed for identification and quantification of mixed sources. The >C(18)n-alkanes show no appreciable losses during a short-term weathering process. An approach based on distribution of long-chain n-alkanes (>C(18)) is suggested for estimating the contribution proportion of each source in mixed oils. Stable carbon isotope profile of individual n-alkanes is a powerful tool to differentiate sources of oil spills, but unavailable to accurately allocate each contribution due to a relatively large analytical error.
Li
Yun
Y
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Xiong
Yongqiang
Y
D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D000473:Alkanes; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical