Oil
We have investigated the use of portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for identification of oil sources. This methodology was used for investigating Deep Water Horizon samples along with oil samples resulting from the 1964 earthquake and from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. These studies demonstrate how XRF and ATR-FTIR can rapidly distinguish oil sources, with implications for oil spill response.
Funding Agencies
The National Academies Gulf Research Program funded this research.
Acknowledgements
A special thanks to the Captain and crew of the Auklet for their assistance and generosity in helping with this study.
Partners/Collaborators
This is a collaboration with H. White (Haverford College)).