Assessing Hydrocarbon presence in the waters of Port au Port bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, for AUV oil spill delineation tests
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 19:42authored byHwang, J, Neil Bose, Robinson, B, Hung NguyenHung Nguyen
The waters adjacent to the Port au Port Peninsula, in Port au Port Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, are known to be subject to release of hydrocarbons from natural oil seeps and old abandoned oil wells. An investigation was done to determine whether there were sufficient oil compounds present for planned autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) test missions to develop adaptive sampling algorithms to delineate oil spills. Fluorometers were used in-situ to measure oil concentrations. Oil-and-water samples were taken at selected waypoints for chemical analysis in the laboratory to validate the sensor measurements and to provide a ground truth. Only one of the fluorometers was found to have a minimum detection level that was capable of sensing the hydrocarbons in the water column. The water sample results indicated hydrocarbon levels up to almost 30 ppm in the east side of the bay, just to the west of Shoal Point, but no detectable levels on the west side of the bay. It was concluded that it would be possible to operate an AUV on a planned fixed mission with a pre-programmed search path and record the levels of signal detected from fluorometers or other sensors. However, it would be difficult to implement an adaptive mission in this case because of the low levels of sensor signals resulting from the low concentrations of hydrocarbon present.
History
Publication title
The Journal of Ocean Technology
Volume
15
Pagination
102-112
ISSN
1718-3200
Department/School
Australian Maritime College
Publisher
Memorial University of Newfoundland * Fisheries and Marine Institute
Place of publication
Canada
Rights statement
Copyright 2020 Journal of Ocean Technology
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Intelligence, surveillance and space; Rehabilitation or conservation of fresh, ground and surface water environments