The comparison of two heavy fuel oils in composition and weathering pattern, based on IR, GC-FID and GC-MS analyses: application to the Prestige wreackage.

This paper compares the weathering patterns of two similar fuel oils: a fuel oil spilled after a ship accident (Prestige-Nassau, off the Galician coast -NW Spain-) and a fuel designed to cope with the numerous quests for samples to carry out scientific studies (IFO). Comparative studies were made to evaluate the capability of common fingerprinting analytical techniques to differentiate the fuels, as well as their capabilities to monitor their weathering. The two products were spilled under controlled conditions during ca. four months to assess how they evolved on time. Mid-IR spectrometry and gas chromatography (flame ionization and mass spectrometry detectors) were used. IR indexes related to total aromaticity, type of substituents (branched or linear chains) and degree of aromatic substitution reflected well the differences between the fuels during weathering. Regarding the chromatographic measurements, the n-alkanes became highly reduced for both fuel oils and it was found that the PAHs of the synthetic fuel (IFO) were more resistant to weathering. Regarding biomarkers, the different profiles of the steranes, diasteranes and triaromatic steroids allowed for a simple differentiation amongst the two products. The %D2/P2 ratio differentiated both products whereas the %N3/P2 one ordered the samples according to the extent of their weathering.