Molecular and Geochemical Tracers for the Precise Apportionment of Hydrocarbon Spills from Vessels in Critical Coastal Habitats

Authors

  • Yin Yu

    China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, Beijing 100088, China
  • Fang Zhou

    China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, Beijing 100088, China
  • Xiaoguang You

    China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, Beijing 100088, China
  • Shiyue Wang

    China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, Beijing 100088, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i5.13259
Received: 13 February 2026 | Revised: 26 April 2026 | Accepted: 2 May 2026 | Published Online: 14 May 2026

Abstract

The danger of hydrocarbon spills from vessels presents long-term threats to vital coastal environments, such as mangroves, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, coral reef-related shorelines, and ecological sensitivity is coupled with maritime activities. The accurate source apportionment is necessary to perform impact assessment, remediation prioritization and regulatory enforcement, but it is still hard to achieve because of the complex source mixtures and fast post-release weathering. This is a review of molecular and geochemical tracer techniques to determine and apportion ship-produced hydrocarbons in coastal systems. We assess the forensic usefulness of diagnostic biomarkers (hopanes, steranes), n-alkanes and isoprenoids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and explore the effects of evaporation, dissolution, photo-oxidation, and biodegradation on molecular fingerprints and their effect on interpretation. They are complementary geochemical evidence, such as stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes (δ13C, δD), radiocarbon limits separating fossil and modern carbon, and elemental indications and evidence of marine fuel and lubricants, including trace metals. The combinations of multi-tracer evidence and chemometric techniques and mixing models, with highlighting built-in discrimination between refined fuels, solving overlapping sources, and quantifying the uncertainty of the situation in complex coastal environments are mentioned. Lastly, we cover new directions of future development, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, analysis of compound-specific isotopes, and machine learning, and the requirement of standardized protocols and libraries of weathered marine fuels. In combination, these developments can enhance defensible attribution of murderous tanker pollution and uphold protection of susceptible shoreline ecosystems.

Keywords:

Hydrocarbon Forensics; Vessel Spills; Biomarkers; Compound-Specific Isotopes; Coastal Sediments

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How to Cite

Yu, Y., Zhou, F., You, X., & Wang, S. (2026). Molecular and Geochemical Tracers for the Precise Apportionment of Hydrocarbon Spills from Vessels in Critical Coastal Habitats. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 8(5), 169–184. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i5.13259

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 5 (May 2026): In Progress

Article Type

Review

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Copyright © 2026 Yin Yu, Fang Zhou, Xiaoguang You, Shiyue Wang

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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