Chemical and Physical Characterization of Tar Samples from the Marine Environment.
Abstract
A physical and chemical characterization of tar samples recovered primarily from the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean and along the eastern coast of the United States was carried out. The task involved a multiparameter analysis scheme which included the measurement of thirty-two physical and chemical parameters, photography, and microscopic analysis of each sample. Two distinct types of tar samples were indicated. One type appears to be urban and industrial waste products. The other includes petroleum-based materials which have been modified in varying degrees by weathering processes operating in the marine environment. Many of the petroleum-based samples were characteristic of that found in discharge from tankers during tank cleaning operations. Particularly distinctive results were obtained from the volatility distribution. Other parameters such as sulfur content, carbon isotope ratios, pristane/phytane ratio, mass spectral analyses and to some extent infrared analyses were also productive. Relating compositional properties of marine tars to their origin and history is a complex task which can only be attempted with complementary data derived from laboratory simulation studies. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0787788
Entities
People
- J. C. Raia
- P. R. Mommessin