Fate, Transformation, and Ecological Consequences of Heavy Crude Oil Released During the 1991 Gulf War: Evidence from Field Observations and Spectroscopic Monitoring
Pages 41-48
https://doi.org/10.69513/jnog.v2.i2.a1
Hikmat Alsalim
Abstract The 1991 Gulf War resulted in the largest deliberate release of petroleum into the marine environment in recorded history, with an estimated 6–11 million barrels of crude oil discharged into the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Unlike many offshore spills dominated by light crude fractions, the Gulf War spill involved medium- to heavy-sour crudes that weathered rapidly and stranded along the shoreline. This paper reviews the fate of released heavy oil, evaluates claims about sedimentation and long-term persistence, and synthesizes evidence of ecological and biogeochemical changes observed in affected coastal systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of spectroscopic techniques—including UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and biomarker fingerprinting—in identifying degradation pathways and weathering stages of residual heavy oil. Available evidence indicates that the dominant long-term sink for heavy fractions was shoreline burial rather than widespread offshore sedimentation, with localized but persistent contamination influencing benthic habitats, microbial community structure, and nearshore fisheries.
