Analysis of Oils Adhered to Sea Birds Drifted Along the Okhotsk Sea Coast

A large number of oil-contaminated sea birds were found along the Okhotsk Sea coast in Hokkaido in early spring, 2006. Oil balls and a dozen drums containing oil were also found in that area. The oil samples found were identified by determination of organic compounds such as n-alkanes (C10∼C35), 37 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sulfur, phosphorus, calcium and so on. Both the oils that adhered to the sea birds and one of oil balls were estimated as a sort of fuel oil C. However, the oils in the drums were lubricants. Therefore, the oils in the drums and those adhered to the sea birds were unrelated. The oil accident brought widespread impact to the Okhotsk Sea coast in Hokkaido.