Field fluorometers for assessing oil dispersion at sea

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Chemical Oceanography

Background:

• Chemical dispersants are crucial for oil spill response.
• Quantifying dispersant effectiveness in the field is challenging.
• Portable fluorometers offer rapid, on-site measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of three commercial fluorometers for assessing oil dispersion.
• To determine the suitability of fluorometry for real-time oil spill monitoring.
• To compare the dynamic ranges and detection capabilities of different fluorometer models.

Main Methods:

• Testing three commercial fluorometers (SeaOWL, Cyclops 7FO, Cyclops 7F-G) with varying excitation/emission windows.
• Measuring oil fluorescence to assess dispersant effectiveness.
• Analyzing the dynamic ranges and detection limits of each instrument.

Main Results:

• The tested fluorometers exhibited significantly different dynamic ranges for oil detection.
• No single fluorometer was optimal; combined use is recommended for comprehensive assessment.
• Effective monitoring requires measurements within 1-2 hours of dispersant application due to rapid dilution.

Conclusions:

• Commercial fluorometers show promise for field assessment of oil dispersion.
• Combining data from multiple fluorometers enhances the reliability of effectiveness evaluation.
• Timeliness is critical; logistical strategies like vessel-following or submersible deployment are needed for effective monitoring.