Significance of Photosensitized Oxidation of Alkanes During the Photochemical Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fractions in Seawater

A crude oil hydrocarbon fraction was photooxidized as a surface film on seawater under simulated environmental conditions. After irradiation, gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses allowed to demonstrate the presence of relatively high quantities of compounds deriving from the photosensitized oxidation of n-alkanes, pristane and phytane, being among the non-acidic photoproducts of this fraction. The results suggest that the photochemical degradation of alkanes should be considered in studies of the fate of petroleum crudes in the marine environment.