A Simple, Remotely Deployable, Fluorometer For Detection of Oil Sheen on Water Surface

A simple, remotely deployable fluorometer for oil sheen detection is proposed. This device consists of a high energy UV flash lamp, a series of photodetectors, and a microprocessor. The flash lamp is used to excite hydrocarbons in the oil sheen to fluoresce. The photodetectors detect the fluorescence signals which are sent to the data processing center by the microprocessor via a pocket-radio or telephone line. The center will process the signals to compose the fluorescence spectra that will be compared to oil sheen fluorescence spectral signatures stored in the center computer. Once a fluorescence spectrum matches the signature of an environmentally damaging oil-sheen, the center will issue an alarm. According to a brief calculation, the system is at least capable of detecting a 100 angstrom thin oil sheen. The proposed, compact device is operated by batteries, and thus, is deployable to any location of interest, such as the water-surface, near waste-water exits or ships, providing real-time and in situ monitoring. The Phase I work will demonstrate feasibility by carrying through computer simulations and laboratory experiments. In phase II, a prototype device, including data acquisition and the communication system will be constructed and field studies performed.