Beach Water Samples Collected by Anapans from Two Locations
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When environmental activists checked the water at beaches near High Cape and Big Utrish, they turned to ecologist Roman Pukalov for guidance on how to take independent samples.
On June 3, a resident collected seawater from a beach near High Cape in Anapa. According to Roman, the water seemed clear and odorless. But after settling in a bottle overnight, it developed an unpleasant petroleum scent. A similar experiment was conducted in the Big Utrish area, but the office staff couldn't detect the odor of petroleum products.
So, how can you test for petroleum products in seawater independently? Here's a simple method ecologists like Roman often recommend:
- Take a sample in a clean, tightly sealed glass container. Rinse the container thrice with seawater before taking your main sample.
- Collect the sample from the shore at a depth of 0-5 cm, avoiding the surface film.
- Fill half of a 0.5L bottle (e.g., Narzan, Borjomi) with the sample and store it in a dark place overnight. You don't need to worry about temperature—just don't shake the bottle.
- If petroleum products are present, an unpleasant odor will develop after settling.
- Document the sampling process and the morning odor test with videos, and mark the location on a map.
Remember, it's not safe to swim at the location just because yesterday's sample didn't have an odor. The situation might change overnight due to wind or temperature changes. Always wait for Rospotrebnadzor to open the beach after analyzing the water.
As per Yuga.ru, the Anapa municipality declared the oiled beaches a hazardous zone and closed access to them.
For those seeking more extensive and practical methods for petroleum detection in seawater:
- Visual and Olfactory Observation: Look for oily sheens or rainbow effects on the water's surface. Petroleum usually has a distinct, hydrocarbon smell.
- Simple Field Tests: Use a clean, white paper towel to blot the surface film. An oily stain that spreads indicates petroleum. Skim a stick or spoon across the water surface and see if it catches an oily film.
- Portable Test Kits: Look for hydrocarbon test strips or detectors designed for field use. These kits can provide semi-quantitative results.
- Water Sampling for Laboratory Analysis: Use a clean, inert container to collect the sample, keep it cool, and away from sunlight, and get it to a laboratory as soon as possible. standard lab tests include GC-MS and Infrared Spectroscopy.
- Citizen Science and Reporting: Use apps or online platforms to report suspected pollution or contact local environmental agencies for guidance.
Engaging in health-and-wellness practices, it's crucial to remain informed about potential environmental hazards such as petroleum in seawater. For instance, understanding medical-conditions that might be influenced by exposure to such substances is essential. In environmental-science, performing comprehensive analyses of water samples for petroleum products can help detect and prevent harmful contamination. Furthermore, with the advancement of science and technology, there are various methods available for more extensive and practical petroleum detection in seawater.
