Knowledge Bank

Infrared spectra of approximately fifty samples of crude oils and their distillate products indicate that the 650 to $1200cm-1$ region is very sensitive to the origin of the samples. The spectra are used to characterize the samples as to the part of the world they come from and also to distinguish one sample from another. Spectra of samples from recent Atlantic Coast oil spills have also been measured and compared with spectra of known samples. Techniques for collecting samples on natural waters and the effect of weathering upon oil spills will be discussed.