POSTER Session 4

A CASE FOR MULTI-SPECTRAL FLUOROMETERS FOR OIL SPILL DETECTION

Fluorescence is a sensitive optical proxy for natural substances and environmental contaminants within water bodies. This includes detection of petroleum oils, where fluorescence intensity and wavelength maxima of constituent aromatic hydrocarbons is dependent on oil type, degree of dispersion (dissolved versus droplet fractions) and environmental influences. In the U.S., submerged oil spill monitoring during chemical dispersant applications is reliant on fluorescence for operational decision-making (40 CFR § 300.900-920 Subpart J and SMART monitoring protocols). Advances in in situ optical sensor technology (lower excitation wavelengths, LEDs, sensitivity) has improved fluorescence-estimated oil (Foil) detection. Presented here is an evaluation of fluorescence properties and PAH chemical analyzes for a range of light, medium and heavy crude oils under varying degrees of dispersion, water temperature, and salinity. Excitation and Emission Matrices (EEMs) and fluorometry response of select submersible sensors are examined, including the SeaOWL UV-A (Oil-in-Water Locator) and ECO (Sea-Bird Scientific WET Labs Inc.) and the UviLux and AQUAtracka (Chelsea Technologies Group, Inc.) Experimental testing was conducted at the U.S. EPA Research Laboratory (Cincinnati, USA) and partner institutions (University of South Florida, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Coastal Response Research Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Water Mapping, Inc.). In addition to our results, a review of recent literature on oil fluorescence properties and sensor capabilities will be discussed. The goal of this effort is to identify wavelength pairs most suitable for oil detection and discerning oil from interferences. And ultimately make the case for developing multi-spectral fluorometers for forensic environmental monitoring.

Robyn Conmy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0672-1904

Devi Sundaravadivelu, Pegasus Technical Services Inc., USA, [email protected]

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