METHODS FOR THE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF OIL POLLUTION

ABSTRACT Petroleum oil analyses frequently are performed by government and industrial organizations and by academic institutions to identify the source of discharge of oil pollutants and to quantify such oils in water, sediments and tissues. This paper presents a concise review of oil analysis methods used by several U.S. agencies, industrial organizations and standard setting societies. Oil analysis methods published by these organizations are evaluated with regard to their convenience and safety for general laboratory use, ability to yield correct quantification data, and correctness in identifying the presence and source of discharge of petroleum oil pollution. Several procedures also are addressed for isolating individual petroleum fractions and hydrocarbons from environmental samples for the purpose of monitoring for the presence of oil pollution in sediments and tissues.