Weathering patterns of oil residues eight years after the Exxon Valdez oilspill

Eight years after the Exxon Valdez spill, oil residues in Prince William So und, Alaska ranged from moderately to extremely weathered. The least weathe red residues were found in samples collected from gravel beaches with well- established armor. There had been little to no change in weathering stage f or the oil from these sites since 1994, There was evidence of some physical erosion, but little chemical change for this deeply penetrated oil, In con trast, most other oil residues have increased in weathering, compared to 19 94, Only one asphalt pavement was at a moderate weathering stage. All other samples contained hydrocarbons which were at advanced or extreme weatherin g stages, (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.