A Synchrotron Radiation Based Study of BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Samples.

Samples from BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill were studied by synchrotron radiation-based analytical techniques. The techniques used were X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, X-ray tomography and infrared spectroscopy. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of nickel and vanadium K edges indicated the fate of these metal-bearing porphyrinic compounds. Emulsification seemed to have degraded the nickel-bearing porphyrinic structure. X-ray absorption spectroscopy also showed that the sulfur speciation changed from mostly thiophenic to sulfatic. Expulsion of the paraffins from the asphaltenic structure is evident from X-ray diffractometry. The longer chain alkanes, usually more resistant to weathering are also more evident in the weathered oil. Heavy metal traces from the oil spill riser oil/NWF oil sample near Venice, LA south of Morgan City, LA and controlled burn/emulsified oil/tar balls from Grand Isle, LA and Dauphine Island, AL.研究对象为英国石油公司（BP）深水地平线漏油事件的样本，采用基于同步辐射（synchrotron radiation）的分析技术开展检测。所用分析技术包括X射线吸收光谱（X-ray absorption spectroscopy）、X射线衍射（X-ray diffractometry）、X射线断层扫描（X-ray tomography）与红外光谱（infrared spectroscopy）。针对镍与钒K边的X射线吸收光谱分析，揭示了这类含金属卟啉类化合物的环境归趋。乳化作用似乎导致含镍卟啉结构发生降解。X射线吸收光谱分析还显示，硫的形态从以噻吩型硫为主转变为硫酸盐型硫。X射线衍射分析结果证实，沥青质结构中的石蜡发生了脱除。通常抗风化能力更强的长链烷烃，在风化油样中的占比也更为凸显。本次分析还涵盖了取自路易斯安那州摩根城南部威尼斯附近的漏油立管油/NWF油样本，以及路易斯安那州格兰德艾尔与阿拉巴马州多芬岛的受控燃烧/乳化油/焦油球样本中的痕量重金属检测数据。