Abstract:

The X-ray and infrared portions of the strong electromagnetic radiation produced in an electron storage ring can be used to investigate the properties of the crude oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon accident without any sample preparation. Degradation of the crude oil can be followed by studying the structure of nickel and vanadium porphyrins in the crude oil. Sulfur speciation shows that from the predominantly thiophene species in the riser oil the emulsified oil and tar balls contain mostly sulfate species. Only the longer chain alkanes remain in the altered oil. X-ray tomography indicates that the tar balls entrain other phases and elements from the sea along with lots of sand grains.