Course content

This course gives a thorough introduction to the latest methods for detecting oil in different environments and under different conditions, e.g. on water and under sea ice. This will include hands-on experience in relevant sampling and analytical techniques like e.g. different chromatographic analyses, and an introduction to chemical fingerprinting techniques used in oil spill source identification (“oil spill forensics”). The techniques are also relevant to wider analytical applications within the oil industry, and to the study of other organic pollutants in the marine environment. Typical ecotoxicological effects observed following oil spills are discussed. Brief introductions will be given to environmental risk assessment and to models used for predicting an oil spill’s spread in space and time. Techniques for oil spill containment, treatment and recovery will also be covered briefly.

Learning outcome

In order to reduce environmental impacts to the greatest extent possible after a spill, being able to predict the behaviour of the oil of interest as a function of time can be crucial. This course will give an understanding of the physio-chemical processes affecting oil spills including modulations of this. Further, the course will give an introduction to analytical methods for detecting oil spills, and advanced chemical finger printing techniques for oil spill source identification.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures (30 hours), laboratory work / fieldwork (80 hours). Lectures and laboratory work / fieldwork will be given in seminars / workshops and intensive teaching periods. Schedule will be given at the start of the semester. Teaching staff will be from SINTEF and StatoilHydro. Written exam (4 hours). Admission to the course is restricted (18 places). English teaching.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved laboratory course

Recommended previous knowledge

Analytical Chemistry, advanced course (KJ2051), Chromatography (KJ2053), Environmental Chemistry (KJ2070 or KJ2071) and Pollution Biology (BI2071 or BI2072).

Required previous knowledge

KJ1000 or a corresponding course and basic course in analytical chemistry (KJ2050)

Course materials

A. Oil spill environmental forensics : fingerprinting and source identification. Zhendi Wang, Scott A. Stout., Elsevier/Academic Press, c2007, 554 pp. (ISBN-10: 0123695236, ISBN-13: 978-0123695239)
B. Course compendium.
C. Theory given at the laboratroy activity / fieldwork