Publication Abstract

Monitoring of PAH in fish and shellfish following the Sea Empress oil spill

Monitoring of PAH in fish and shellfish following the Sea Empress oil spill

C.A. Kelly and R.J. Law

The grounding of the Sea Empress at the entrance to Milford Haven in February 1996 resulted in the release of approximately 72,000 tonnes of Forties crude oil and 480 tonnes of fuel oil into the sea. Contamination of fish and shellfish in local waters led to the establishment of a fishery closure order under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA), and a monitoring programme was initiated. The determination of hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in tissues was conducted using ultra-violet fluorescence spectrometry and coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analysis of biota samples taken both for FEPA monitoring and more general impact studies were conducted within a single laboratory in order to minimise problems of data comparability. Various aspects of the analytical methodology to be employed in oil spill studies are discussed, including the selection of PAH to be determined, and associated analytical quality control procedures. Some improvements to the methodology are suggested for the future.

Reference:

C.A. Kelly and R.J. Law, 1998. Monitoring of PAH in fish and shellfish following the Sea Empress oil spill. pp.467-473 In: Edwards R; Sime H (eds.). The Sea Empress Oil Spill: Proceedings of the International Conference held in Cardiff, 11-13 February 1998. London: Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management.

C.A. Kelly* and R.J. Law*

p.467-473 In: Edwards R; Sime H (eds.). The Sea Empress Oil Spill: Proceedings of the International Conference held in Cardiff, 11-13 February 1998. London: Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management