Fibre Optic Method for Detecting Oil Fluorescence in Marine Sediments.

The aim of this study is to verify the possibility of detecting oil in the bottom sediment using a fibre optic system. The presence of oil is assessed on excitation-emission spectra obtained from spectral fluorescence signals of the sediment sample. A factory spectrofluorometer coupled with an experimental fibre optic measurement system was used.

Exploring the impact of magnetic fields related to submarine power cables on the American mud crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii: A behavioural and physiological perspective.

The number of submarine cables in marine environment is increasing. Thus, marine organisms, especially benthic invertebrates are exposed to magnetic fields generated by those cables. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) and electromagnetic field (EMF) on the behaviour and physiology of Rhithropanopeus harrisii during a series of laboratory experiments.

Vector irradiance modelling in a seawater column for assessing the detection capabilities of an oil-in-water emulsion.

The possibility of tracking oil pollution in the sea has been an issue that has been analysed for a long time, and the use of light interactions with the sea polluted with various forms of oil has been the subject of numerous studies. This paper presents the results of the Monte Carlo simulations of the fate of a large number of virtual photons to demonstrate changes in the downwelling vector irradiance and upwelling vector irradiance in oil-free seawater and analogously seawater column polluted with an oil-in-water emulsion. The analyses were carried out for eight wavelengths ranging from 412 to 676 nm, upon the assumption of an oil concentration of 10 ppm, taking into account the data of absorption and scattering properties of the southern Baltic Sea.

Fluorescent analyses of sediments and near-seabed water in the area of the WW2 shipwreck "Stuttgart".

Motorship wrecks on the seabed pose a serious threat to the marine environment due to oil leaking from their fuel tanks. Such substances can penetrate the sediments and enter the water. There is a need to analyse bottom water and seabed sediment samples for the content of toxic petroleum substances.

Modelling the upwelling radiance detected in a seawater column for oil-in-water emulsion tracking.

This study concerns changes in the solar light transfer in seawater as a result of the appearance of oil substances in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The expected effect of the studies is to gather knowledge that would be useful in designing an optical sensor for monitoring oil substances penetrating the seawater column. The paper presents the process of the Monte Carlo modelling of the upwelling radiance detected by a virtual underwater sensor.

Light Penetrating the Seawater Column as the Indicator of Oil Suspension-Monte Carlo Modelling for the Case of the Southern Baltic Sea.

The strong need to control investments related to oil extraction and the growing demand for offshore deep-water exploration are the reasons for looking for tools to make up a global underwater monitoring system. Therefore, the current study analyses the possibility of revealing the existence of oil-in-water emulsions in the water column, based on the modelling of the downwelling radiance detected by a virtual underwater sensor. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation for the large numbers of solar photons in the water, the analyses were carried out for eight wavelengths ranging from 412 to 676 nm using dispersed oil with a concentration of 10 ppm.

Detection of Oil in Seawater Based on the Fluorometric Index during the Winter Season in the Baltic Sea-The Case of the Gulf of Gdansk.

This study is a continuation of analyses of the fluorometric index (FI), based on the fluorescence of substances of oil origin, as an indicator of oil in a seawater column. The effectiveness of the FI in the cold season (late autumn, winter and early spring) for the coastal water in the southern Baltic Sea was assessed. FI was tested for seawater polluted with a mixture of crude oils, lubricating oils and fuels.

Do magnetic fields related to submarine power cables affect the functioning of a common bivalve?

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) and electromagnetic field (EMF), of values usually recorded near submarine cables, on the bioenergetics, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity in the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum. Bivalves maintained a positive energy balance, but the filtration rate and energy available for individual production were significantly lower in SMF-exposed animals compared to the control treatment. No changes in the respiration were noted but ammonia excretion rate was significantly lower after exposure to EMF.

Fluorometric Detection of Oil Traces in a Sea Water Column.

This study focuses on broadening the knowledge of a fluorometric index to improve the detection of oil substances present in the marine environment. It is assumed that the value of this index will provide information about a possible oil discharge at some distance from the sensor. In this paper, the detection of oil present in seawater as a mixture of oils such as fuel, lubricate oil, or crude oil based on a fluorescence indicator-fluorometric index (FI) is discussed.

Modelling a Spectral Index to Detect Dispersed Oil in a Seawater Column Depending on the Viewing Angle: Gulf of Gdańsk Case Study.

This paper analyzes the digital modelling of radiance reflectance of the sea surface when the water column is polluted by oil-in-water emulsion. A method tracking the fate of two billion virtual solar photons was applied to obtain the angular distribution of bottom-up radiance for a plane of sunlight striking the sea surface. For the calculations, the inherent optical properties of seawater characteristic for the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea) were used.

Modelling Remote Sensing Reflectance to Detect Dispersed Oil at Sea.

This paper presents a model of upwelling radiation above the seawater surface in the event of a threat of dispersed oil. The Monte Carlo method was used to simulate a large number of solar photons in the water, eventually obtaining values of remote sensing reflectance (R). Analyses were performed for the optical properties of seawater characteristic for the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea).

Detecting the Presence of Different Types of Oil in Seawater Using a Fluorometric Index.

This study analyzed the fluorometric laboratory tests for the detection of the presence of oil in seawater in cases corresponding to the real situation in the sea: when the point of seawater sampling is not in the same place as the appropriate sensor. The phenomenon of fluorescence exhibited by both natural and alien substances (oil) in the sea was used. The possibility of oil detection in the water column based on a fluorometric index (FI) extracted from the excitation-emission matrix (EEM) was studied.

Effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on the behavior and bioenergetics of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an electromagnetic field (EMF) of value typically recorded in the vicinity of submarine cables (50 Hz, 1 mT) on the behavior and bioenergetics of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor. No avoidance or attraction behavior to EMF was shown, but the burrowing activity of H. diversicolor was enhanced in EMF treatment, indicating a stimulating effect on bioturbation potential.

Are magnetic and electromagnetic fields of anthropogenic origin potential threats to early life stages of fish?

The number of underwater cables transferring electric current in sea and freshwater environments is constantly increasing. As a result, the risk of negative effects of magnetic fields generated in the vicinity of those cables on fish eggs and larvae is also growing. This is especially the case for species that settle on the bottom for certain periods of time during early development.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of 50 Hz 1 mT electromagnetic field on larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Baltic clam (Limecola balthica) and common ragworm (Hediste diversicolor).

The aim of this research was to assess genotoxicity and cytotoxicity responses in aquatic animals exposed to 50 Hz 1 m T electromagnetic field (EMF). Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at early stages of development were exposed to EMF for 40 days, whereas marine benthic invertebrates - the common ragworm Hediste diversicolor and the Baltic clam Limecola balthica - for 12 days. To define genotoxicity and cytotoxicity responses in selected animals, assays of nuclear abnormalities in peripheral blood erythrocytes of O.

Fluorometric Index for Sensing Oil in the Sea Environment.

Excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS) was applied to determine the fluorometric index (FI) as a parameter indicating the presence of a source of oil pollution in a specific area of the sea. Seawater from the Polish coast (the Baltic Sea) and the same water combined with various amounts of crude oil extracted from the Baltic Sea shelf (-type oil) were used in this study. The FI values were calculated for excitation and emission wavelengths found at the maximal peak, taking into account the natural seawater and the seawater artificially contaminated (for an oil-to-water ratio range of 0.

Oil droplets as light absorbents in seawater.

This paper presents spectra of light absorption coefficient of oil-in-water emulsion, derived using the Mie theory. In order to achieve that concentration of oil, degree of oil dispersion in seawater as well as spectra of light absorption coefficient and refractive index of chosen oils must be known. A significant role of the size distribution of oil droplets has been revealed: light absorption coefficient of emulsion increases with the rate of dispersion.

Modelling the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of seawater polluted by an oil film.

The Bi-directional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) of both clean seawaters and those polluted with oil film was determined using the Monte Carlo radiative transfer technique in which the spectrum of complex refractive index of Romashkino crude oil and the optical properties of case II water for chosen wavelengths was considered. The BRDF values were recorded for 1836 solid angular sectors of throughout the upper hemisphere. The visibility of areas polluted with oil observed from various directions and for various wavelengths is discussed.

Modeling the remotely sensed optical contrast caused by oil suspended in the sea water column.

The reflectance of sea areas polluted by an oil-in-water emulsion was modeled using the radiance transfer Monte Carlo code. Example results of the contrast function parameterized by the observation angle for various angles of incident sunlight, various sea surface roughness states and two optically different types of seawaters are presented.