MEASUREMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF HYDROCARBONS IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

A baseline study of dispersed hydrocarbons and other lipids was conducted in Pacific Ocean waters. Some 850 samples were taken off Exxon tankers and the R/V MELVILLE. Methods of sampling are described in detail and the distribution patterns of volatile and nonvolatile hydrocarbon concentrations are anlayzed. The composition of a representative number of hydrocarbons was determined and from these data an interpretation as to the origin of hydrocarbons was attemped.