Abstract |
Petroleum products comprise a vast continuum of hydrocarbons from gasoline which is mainly short chain and simple aromatic hydrocarbons, passing to kerosene, diesel, and heavy oils and to lubricating oils or vaseline, each gradation with increasing carbon chains and complexity. Gasoline alone may contain over twelve hundred compounds. Properties of these vary and this will be of analytical concern. Evaluation of the efficiency of treatment technology and site remediation progress will lean heavily on analytical techniques that are associated with accuracy, reproducibility and of real time value. The vast array of methods provide data of varying and questionable results. This paper examines the various analytical techniques available along with their special features, and it also discusses new methods currently under development that may reflect real soil contamination levels. |