Dissolved dispersed petroleum aromatic hydrocarbons in the Sao Sebastiao Channel, Sao Paulo, Brazil

A monitoring programme at Sao Sebastiao Channel, Sao Paulo, Brazil, was con ducted in terms of dissolved/dispersed petroleum aromatic hydrocarbons (DDP AH) in water analysed by fluorescence spectroscopy. The study was done in o rder to establish a baseline data for this area and verify the petroleum hy drocarbon influence from the oil terminal (DTCS) and other human activities over the channel. The DDPAH concentrations on subsurface waters were low a nd only one station presented a chronic local contribution. An oil spill oc curred in May 1994 and it was followed-up to verify its influence in this a rea. The obtained data mere important to verify the influence of the oil sp ill along the Channel. The oil spilled reached the majority of the sampling stations, and the highest mean concentration found was close to the accide nt point (49.6 pg l(-1)). Due to the intense wind driven currents of the Ch annel area, however, the elevation of the hydrocarbons levels in the surfac e waters was only temporary. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.