Sampling of oil in the environment, depending upon the thickness of the slick, can present certain operational problems, most paramount of which is the collection of an adequate volume of sample required for identification by chemical analyses. Several basic 'dip-stick' techniques, which are primarily applicable for sampling slicks with a thickness of greater than 2 mm, as well as suggested methods for sampling thin oil slicks are discussed and illustrated. Included in this report are preliminary results on oil entrapment by solid absorbents. Also reported are results of investigations performed by foreign and U.S. scientists, using various types of sampling equipment and materials. (Author)

DAST 12. FWPCA. Microfiche.