Application of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to migration studies of oil-related residues in estuarine sediments (Tay Estuary)

The tendency for selected organic compounds to sorb to sediments has been investigated extensively. These studies, however, have not permitted the ‘observation’ or measurement of advection/diffusion processes and the breakdown of organics within sediments.

MRI is a multidimensional technique allowing the position of nuclei (most commonly protons) to be charted within a volume. We introduce MRI as a means of monitoring movement of oil within a series of estuarine sediments, thus offering a method of assessing the harming potential of oils in nearshore environments.

Results presented in terms of the % change of oil distribution within a sediment sample, show the great potential of MRI in studying protonated contaminants in sediments.