Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, in 2022

Measurement of background concentrations of oil hydrocarbons in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. Surface seawater for measurement of n-alkanes and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) was collected fall of 2022, in both open water and close to the shore. Establishing background oil concentrations in Placentia Bay will contribute to characterize the status quo of fossil hydrocarbons in seawater, which is a pre-requisite for the assessment of change. Damage assessment in case of a spill and the development of response plans requires the knowledge of pre-spill background values. This project is part of the Coastal Environmental Baseline Program Initiative under the Oceans Protection Plan of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.