Sunken oil mats: A biomarker-based investigation

Sunken oil mats (SOMs) pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, yet their long-term fate and weathering processes remain poorly understood. This study investigates the degradation of biomarkers in a SOM sample collected from the Brazilian coast following the long-lasting 2019 oil spill. The SOM clearly distinguished from spilt oil and were attributed to tanker-washing residues. Analysis of its sections revealed a consistent depletion pattern, associated with losses of volatile and photooxidation-sensitive compounds, even in the most preserved inner fractions, this suggests weathering of the oil prior SOM formation. While biodegradation was minor, photooxidation revealed a significant weathering factor, especially for aromatic compounds as indicated by preferential degradation of highly-alkylated tricyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles, and specific methylpyrenes and benzofluorenes. This study underscore the complex interplay of weathering processes shaping the fate of SOMs and the importance of biomarker-based diagnosis in assessing the origin and ecological impacts of long-lasting oil spills.

Keywords: Sunken oil mats (SOMs); Weathering; Oil spill; Biomarkers; Photooxidation