Researchers have found that fuel oil from the US Navy battleship Arizona is still seeping out in Pearl Harbor 80 years after its sinking.
Furthermore, the team behind the study found that the leaking oil still features high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are renowned for their potential toxicity and persistence.
The team conducted research on samples collected from the waters by the National Park Service in 2016 and 2018, using advanced molecular fingerprinting techniques. Interestingly, the team found that the chemical composition of the oil varies by the location of the leak, showing how oil can degrade differently depending on its location in a wreck.
Commenting on the work, WHOI marine chemist and senior author of the study, Chris Reddy, stated:
“One of the biggest challenges in responding to oil spills is understanding the specific makeup of the oil. At this site, the oil is not leaking at a highly concerning rate, and while it does contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), not all of them are highly toxic.
“This work offers valuable insights that strengthen preparedness and planning for future operations at other shipwrecks. When deciding whether to remove oil from a shipwreck, we weigh the risk of a potential spill against the danger of disturbing the site itself.
“Factors like the amount of oil remaining, the rate of leakage, the local ecosystem’s sensitivity, and the cultural or historical value of the wreck all play a role. Sometimes the best choice is careful monitoring rather than intervention.”
While the lead author of the study, University of Houston research associate professor Jagos Radovic, added:
“As it moves through the maze of wreckage, it encounters varying oxygen levels, water flow, and microbial activity, shaping the oil’s chemistry and giving each leak a unique fingerprint.”
Finally, National Park Service marine archaeologist Dr. David Conlin added:
“As one of America’s most hallowed war graves and the site of tragedy and sacrifice at the outset of a global conflict for our country, the site demands the best and most considered science we can muster. The work we have completed is groundbreaking in its implications and also its respectful, non-intrusive approach to data gathering. I am proud and humbled to have been a part of this incredible scientific team.”
You can find the research paper here.
