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Saturate, Aromatic, Resin and Asphaltene (SARA) Analysis of Floating Oil Exposed to UV Light

DescriptionThe photo-oxidation of oil is becoming more recognized as an important weathering process after oil is spilled in the environment. Understanding how oil weathers under solar irradiation can improve models that forecast the fate and transport of oil spills and also better inform oil spill responders on the types of cleanup and mitigation techniques to use. This study builds off previous work which examined the chemical and physical changes that occur in floating oil exposed to ultraviolet light (UV-A) at different temperatures. Initial results indicated that oil exposed to UV light formed tarball-like features, whereas non-UV exposed oil remained sheen-like. However, from a chemical standpoint, only minor changes in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected. This next phase of research explores how the saturate, aromatic, resin, and asphaltene fractions change as oil is exposed to UV light and different temperatures. Physical changes, related to changes in surface area, were documented through the use of photography and FIJI analysis. Preliminary results with Louisiana Sweet Crude at 21°C indicated that there was greater asphaltene content in the UV treated oil (15.4±2.0%), which corresponded to tarballs being formed. In the no-UV treated oil, asphaltene content was lower (10.3±3.2%) and no tarballs were formed. Changes in oil surface area and SARA content for other crude oils will also be discussed. Results from this study will be used to improve models that forecast the fate of floating oil in the environment and inform future directions for additional research.

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