Utilization of Trace Metals in Source Diagnosing of Tar Balls From the Mediterranean City of Alexandria, Egypt
2009; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 27; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/10916460701783928
ISSN1532-2459
Autores Tópico(s)Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
ResumoAbstract This study represents a forensic chemical analysis to identify the source(s) of tar balls polluting several beaches of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Egypt. Concentrations of six metals (vanadium [V], nickel [Ni], magnesium [Mg], iron [Fe], cobalt [Co], and copper [Cu]) were studied in tar balls, collected from different locations along the coast of the city and in Egyptian crude oils as possible source oils. The metal concentrations were generally higher in tar balls than in the studied crude oils. The V/Ni marker indicated that, some tar balls might have originated from Middle East crude oils, whereas others could have had a foreign source. The higher V/Ni marker of five tar balls than that of the reference crude oils indicates that the crude oils from which those tars are originating are being derived from organic source materials deposited under a reducing environment in carbonate source rock, and they are less mature than the Egyptian crude oils. Keywords: atomic absorption spectroscopycrude oilstar balls sourcestrace metals
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