Petroleum Hydrocarbons from Effluents: Detection in Marine Environment

Weekly samples from four wastewater treatment facilities discharging into Jamaica Bay were analyzed for the presence of waste crankcase petroleum products. Two novel ultraviolet-fluorescence spectroscopic techniques were utilized to exhibit qualitatively the presence of waste automotive petroleum hydrocarbons in each of the final effluents of water pollution control plants by comparison of sample "profiles" to "profiles" generated by standard oils. The surface waters and a benthic organism (Mya arenaria) residing in Jamaica Bay were also analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons using these techniques. Ultraviolet-fluorescence spectroscopic analyses furnished dramatic evidence for the presence of a significant quantity of hydrocarbons associated with waste petroleum products in all samples collected. Gas chromatographic and mass spectroscopic analyses indicate petroleum contamination of mollusks.