Oil biomarkers

Oil spills or thefts can be a problem in the Province of Santa Cruz due to its hydrocarbon-producing nature. This research was focused on evaluating the potential of some molecules present in crude oil known as biomarkers to respond to the aforementioned problems. Based on the above, the study was divided into two stages: first, the chemical characterization by biomarkers of 15 samples of light crude oil from the Springhill Fm and Lower Magallanes Fm, which were obtained in quadruplicate over a year, was carried out. In the second stage, from one of the previously analyzed crudes, an artificial weathering test was carried out under laboratory conditions in both seawater and soil for 12 months. The purpose was to evaluate the behavior of the biomarkers against this process that normally alters the general composition of the oil when it is released into the environment.