Characteristic features of different oil types in oil spill identification

Abstract

Similarities or dissimilarities in gas chromatograms and mass chromatograms of oils are not easily discernible by non-experts in the field of oil identification. Compound ratios, i.e. relative concentrations of compounds, represent more measurable, objective and defensible means for the verification of results in Oil Spill Identification. A European Standard for Oil Spill Identification is being prepared by CEN Technical Board's Tasks Force 120 in order to improve existing methods (Nordtest Chem001, ASTM D 3415) especially in this regard. Based on the revision of the Nordtest-procedure (L.-G. Faksness et. al. SINTEF-Report STF66 A02028, May 2002, http://www.nordtest.org/register/techn/tlibrary/tec498.pdf target=NewWindow> http://www.nordtest.org/register/techn/tlibrary/tec498.pdf ), a set of 23 parameters ('useful minimum set') for comparing two oil samples is proposed. However, this set of parameters has been derived from crude oil research and is based on geochemical findings. In the case of oil products involved in an oil spill, certain parameters simply are not present in the sample, or their meaning, and thus their value for oil identification, has been changed by the production process. But oil products, mainly in form of waste oil, are the major source of oil pollution in all areas of higher shipping traffic. Therefore, guidance is given on how to handle the proposed parameters with respect to the different characteristics of oil types. The identification of the type of oil involved in an oil spill thus is essential, and a step-by-step procedure is provided for identifying the oil type, even in (highly) weathered samples. But even in a comparison of two crude oil samples, some of the parameters may be much more important than others. Their value is highly dependent on the circumstances of each particular case. Some examples are shown. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RR 6782(31) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman