For some time, lab scientists have used UV light to detect the presence of oil in rocks taken from a potential drilling site. Coastal geologist graduate student Rip Kirby, of the University of South Florida, took a UV flashlight out onto a Florida beach to see what it would look like; the results can be seen in National Geographic online (photographs by Chris Combs).

Now, Kirby is hoping that the same lab technology can be used in the field to aid in cleanup efforts. UV light can show up oil that's difficult to see, whether because it's mixed with mud, or a relatively light stain on sand. Under UV light, clean sand appears purple or black. Some minerals, such as calcium carbonate (i.e., seashells), glow blue. Oil, as in the photo above, glows a fluorescent yellow-orange.

See the complete photo essay here.

(photo courtesy of National Geographic; via BoingBoing)