Athabasca Oil Sands are found in the McMurray formation in the Athabasca River Basin in Northern Alberta, Canada. Monitoring studies conducted during 1998-1200, have indicated that there is a preponderance of oil sands-derived hydrocarbons, primarily PAHs, their C14 alkylated analogues, and biomarkers, in downstream sediment samples of the tributaries relative to the upstream samples. The relative composition of these hydrocarbons are diagnostic of a petrogenic source, and provides a fingerprint for characterization of biofilm samples, aquatic invertebrates, and sediments in northern rivers and tributaries. Results of GC-MS analyses of sediments, confirm that the tributaries passing through the Fort McMurray oil sands regions contain significant levels of naturally derived hydrocarbons (2-50 mg/g). Field activities in heavily impacted areas should therefore continue to emphasize the tributaries draining through oil sands deposits, as opposed to the main-stem of the Athabasca River where hydrocarbon levels are subject to dilution from high sedimentation rates.

Oil spill phenomena occur very often in the Boka Aquatorium. By studying the occurrence of oil stain on the sea surface the analyses of the Boka Bay pollution is represented in this document. Also represented is an evaluation or stimulation of expert opinion in a case of oil spill occurrence, in relation to the air temperature with the obvious consequences of carbon hydrogen appearance/presence.

Wastewater from the Novi Sad Oil Refinery, Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro) had been previously discharged to the Danube river between the raw water wells. In order to protect water supply source, the collector discharge was displaced downstream, outside the raw water wells area. In 2004, the quality of Danube river water and sediment was monitored at the sites of the old and new collector discharge of the Oil Refinery wastewaters, as well as at two control (reference) sites. The paper presents chemical quality parameters of water and sediment, characterizing oil contamination. Significantly increased contents of oil contaminant were measured in the Danube river sediment at the old discharge site compared to other sampling points, which is a consequence of many-year accumulation, as well as in the Danube river water at the new discharge site, as a consequence of the present wastewater discharge.