Do distributions of diamondoid hydrocarbons accumulated in oil-contaminated fish tissues help to identify the sources of oil?

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115836
• Publication Date: 2023-11-25T23:00:45Z
• Authors: Alan G. Scarlett; Francis D. Spilsbury; Steven J. Rowland; Marthe Monique Ga...; Kliti Grice
• Keywords: Diamondoid; Bioconcentration

Identifying the sources of environmental oil contamination can be challenging, especially for in motile organisms such as fish. Lipophilic hydrocarbons from bioaccumulate fish adipose tissue and potentially provide a forensic "fingerprint" original oil. Herein, diamondoid hydrocarbon distributions were employed to fingerprints. Indices produced diamondoids used compare extracts tissues crude fuel oils which exposed under laboratory conditions. A suite 20 was found have bioaccumulated dietary-exposed Cross-plots indices between exposure close ideal 1:1 relationship. Comparisons with non-exposure overall, but not exclusively, weaker correlations. Linear Discriminatory Analysis on combined set 15 bicyclane molecular ratios able identify oils, so use both compound classes is preferable.