Oil spilled in marine systems results in substantial impacts on ecosystems. The effects of sunlight on the fate and transport of oil spilled in marine environments changes the impacts on aquatic organisms. However, limited data on photochemistry exist, and a clear understanding of the mechanisms involved and the photoproducts created have not been available. We have completed an array of studies on the formation of reactive transients, the molecular composition of water soluble and oil soluble products, and the identification of functional groups present in the products. Reactive transient studies have provided quantitative information, while molecular composition data are qualitative. We have performed some studies on toxicity and have found the impacts of oil and photoproducts of oil to vary depending on the system. As a whole, these studies have substantially advanced the understanding of the extremely complicated oil/water systems, especially regarding the impact of photochemistry. The results have provided fundamental information useful in modeling the fate and transport of spilled oil exposed to sunlight. However, the data available are still limited regarding the effects of oil photoproducts on marine organisms.

Oil spilled in marine systems: Photochemistry and impacts on aquatic organisms

255th National Meeting (2018)

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