OIL POLLUTION IN TUZLA BAY AFTER TPAO TANKER ACCIDENT

Oil pollution in Tuzla Bay after TPAO Tanker accident

Selma Ünlü, Kasim Cemal Güven, Ertugrul Dogan, Erdogan Okus

University of Istanbul, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Vefa, 34470, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

The oil pollution was investigated in seawater, sediments and mussels in Tuzla Bay after the TPAO tanker accident. 214.3 ton oil was spilled and 250 ton oil burnt. The pollution level was determined in seawater, sediments and mussels after the accident. The highest pollution was found as 33.2 mg/L in seawater, 423.01µg/g in sediment on the first day after the accident and 2067µg/g in mussels 1 month after the accident. The pollution level decreased during the survey of 14 Feb 1997 to 13 Feb 1998.The origin of oil in seawater, sediments and mussels were identified by using fingerprinting analysis technique.

Keywords: Oil pollution TPAO tanker accident, crude oil, Tuzla Bay