Leeder Analytical provides environmental testing and expert advice, including oil weathering studies to determine how oils change physically and chemically when spilled in the marine environment. Variables like oil type, temperature, and wave action are considered. Chemical characterisation identifies toxic compounds and biomarkers to fingerprint the oil, while physical characterisation examines properties like viscosity and density that impact spill response options.

1. Leeder Analytical provides specialist testing and expert advice in the area
of environmental forensics, auditor support, identification of unknown chemical
compounds, chemical residues and impurities.
Oil Weathering Studies,
Chemical and Physical Characterisation
Oil weathering studies are used to
determine the potential impacts and
behaviours of crude oils in the marine
environment.
Weathering methods are utilised to
determine both physical and chemical
changes that may occur, to spilt oils,
under a range of conditions. Weathering
methods include;
ºº Evaporation;
ºº Spreading/Drifting;
ºº Natural Dispersion;
ºº Emulsification and Biodegradation
Variables considered in weathering
processes include:
ºº Composition of spilt oil;
ºº Duration of weathering process;
ºº Oil type;
ºº Sea and air temperature
ºº Wave action
Via analysis of samples taken throughout
the weathering process, it is possible to
determine changes in the physical and
chemical characteristic of the oil.
Chemical Characterisation
Chemical characterisation focusses on
the determination of toxic hydrocarbons
and other compounds present in crude
oils. This information is utilised to identify
the overall toxicity and ‘fingerprint’ of
the oil, which is imperative for future
monitoring purposes.
Typical chemical compounds that can
be examined include BTEX, Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs),
Phenolics, Paraffinic Hydrocarbons and
Sulphur compounds.
Biomarker compounds can be determined
also, including a range of hopanes,
steranes and isoprenoids. Biomarkers
are resistant to the oil weathering process
and are present in ratios which are
characteristic to particular oils. Biomarker
ratios can effectively provide a ‘fingerprint’
of the oil and is of significant value when
assessing an oil spill.
Physical characterisation
Physical characterisation focusses on
the determination of viscosity, density,
evaporation rates and pour point. It is
important to see how such properties
change when an oil weathers.
The physical properties of crude oils
and their characteristics during the
weathering process can be used to assess
the amenability of the oils to various spill
response options and to particular items
of response equipment.
Leeder
Analytical
Leeder
Analytical
4/168 Christmas St,
Fairfield, VIC, 3078
t 03 9481 4167
f 03 9489 0710
abn 31 142 075 956
e Enquiries@leeder-analytical.com
Cerberus Global trading as Leeder Analytical