Organic sulfur compounds and polycyclic hydrocarbons transferred to oyster and mussel from petroleum suspension: Identification by gas chromatography and capillary mass chromatography

An attempt was made to determine the organic sulfur compounds usually contained in crude oil as markers of oil pollution in shellfish. The oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and mussel (Mytilus edulis) were maintained in a controlled laboratory environment and in water with a suspension of crude oil. Capillary column gas chromatography-mass chromatography of extracts showed the presence of organic sulfur compounds of alkyl benzothiophene (C₂C₄), dibenzothiophene and alkyl dibenzothiophene (C₁C₄). Coexistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with organic sulfur compounds was found in oyster and mussel. The time courses of concentration ratios of organic sulfur compounds in the oyster and the mussel were determined by gas chromatography connected with flame photometric detector.