Petroleum Forensics Guide

Analysis	Matrix	Method	Reporting Features	Purpose
		Tier 1
C3-C36 Whole Oil Fingerprint	Product	Modified ASTM D3328	Semi-quantitative screen of: Gasoline range PIANO; Semi-quant screen of kerosene range to residual range hydrocarbons (select n-paraffins and isoparaffins); GC/FID chromatogram	Assists in general identification of a) refined petroleum or crude oil types present and b) general weathering attributes of the gasoline range to residual range petroleum (whole oil). Subsequent tiers of investigation will likely be needed to conduct more detailed and conclusive source and age determinations.
C8-C40 Petroleum Fingerprint	Water, Soil, Sediment	Modified EPA 8015C	Quantitative determination of: C8-C40 n-paraffins Select isoprenoids -Farnesane, 2,6,10-trimethyltridecane, pristane, phytane; GC/FID chromatogram	Assists in general identification of types of refined petroleum or crude oils present and general weathering attributes of the semi-volatile range petroleum. Subsequent tiers of investigation will likely be needed to conduct more detailed and conclusive source and age determinations.
		Tier 2 (VOC)
C3-C12 Quantitative Petroleum Characterization	Water, Soil, Product	EPA 8260 Mod.	Concentrations of: 108 PIANO compounds; 4 oxygenate additives –MTBE, ETBE, TAME, and DIPE; 2 Lead scavengers – EDC, EDB; 6 thiophene isomers; MMT; General panel of diagnostic ratios and percentages; Histogram bar chart	Assists in the detailed characterization of gasoline range petroleum types – gasoline, refinery feedstocks, aviation fuel, or condensate. These data are essential for gasoline source and age investigations.
Oxygenated Blending Agents	Product	EPA 1624 Mod.	Concentrations of oxygenated blending agents: - MTBE, DIPE, ETBE, TAME, TBA, ethanol	Quantifies oxygenated additives in gasoline. Produces data that may be critical for age constraining and source investigations of gasoline.
EDB and Organic Lead	Product	EPA 8080 Mod.	Concentrations of 5 alkyl lead compounds & lead scavenger: - TEL, MTEL, DEDML, TMEL, TML, EDB	Quantifies the five alkyl lead compounds added to gasoline as well as the lead scavenger, EDB. Produces data that may be critical for age constraining and source investigations of gasoline.
		Tier 2 (SVOC)
C8-C40 Full Scan Semi-Quantitative Characterization	Product, Water, Soil, Sediment	Modified ASTM D5739	Semi-quantitative data & labeled chromatograms for petroleum biomarkers: n-paraffins (85 m/z), isoparaffins (113 m/z), alkylcyclohexanes (83 m/z), C3-C4 monoaromatics (134 m/z), bicyclanes (123 m/z), steranes (217 m/z), terpane biomarkers (191 m/z); Qualitative bar for Alkylated PAHs Full Scan TIC	Data is useful for a detailed source characterization of a) kerosene range petroleum, b) diesel range petroleum, c) heavier fuels and residual range products e) light to heavy crude oils. Data reports relevant light to residual range petroleum biomarkers. Also, a qualitative review of alkylated PAHs is included.
Parent and Alkylated PAHs	Product, Water, Soil	Modified EPA 8270	Parent and alkylated PAH & others: Parent decalins, C1-C4 Ds; Benzo(b)thiophene, C1-C4 BTs; Naphthalene, C1-C4 NAP; Fluorene, C1-C3 F; Anthracene, Phenanthrene, C1-C4 P/A Dibenzothiophenes, C1-C4 DBTs; Fluoranthene, Pyrene, C1-C4 FL/PY Benzo(b)naphthothiophenes, C1-C4 NBTs Benzo(a)anthracene, Chrysene, C1-C4 Chs 12 Individual alkyl PAHs Carbazole, retene, biphenyl, and dibenzofuran Comprehensive panel of 5-6 ring PAHs	Provides a full panel of forensics grade PAH data.
		Tier 3 Stable Isotopes
Bulk Isotope Composition	Product	Lab SOP	δ²H and δ¹³C Bulk stable isotopes for petroleum.	Bulk isotope information may provide additional information for chemical source investigations
CSIA (Petroleum VOC)	Product	Lab SOP	δ²H and δ¹³C compound specific stable isotopes for select VOC hydrocarbons– paraffins, isoparaffins, aromatics (Including BTEX), and naphthenes	Compound specific isotope information (CSIA) may provide additional information for chemical source investigations of gasoline, refinery feedstocks, and condensates.
CSIA (Petroleum SVOC)	Product	Lab SOP	δ²H and δ¹³C compound specific stable isotopes for select SVOC hydrocarbons– C10 to nC28 n-alkanes & pristane & phytane	Compound specific isotope information (CSIA) may provide additional information for chemical source investigations of Kerosene and diesel range petroleum
CSIA (Dissolved Phase Petroleum VOC - BTEX)	Water	Lab SOP	δ²H and δ¹³C compound specific stable isotopes for – C2 monoaromatics – benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes.	Compound specific isotope information (CSIA) may provide additional information for chemical source investigations of dissolved phase VOC petroleum chemistry.
CSIA (Dissolved Phase - Gasoline Additives)	Water	Lab SOP	δ²H and δ¹³C compound specific stable isotopes for – oxygenate gasoline additives TBA, MTBE.	Compound specific isotope information (CSIA) may provide additional information for chemical source investigations of dissolved phase VOC petroleum chemistry.
		Boiling Range Estimation
Simulated Distillation	Product	ASTM 2887	Petroleum products in a mixture	Helps determine amounts of different fuel types present in a product sample. Artificial mixtures can be analyzed under consistent conditions to confirm the estimated composition.

Interpretation:
This may help identify the petroleum products in samples, determine whether the samples and products are related, and may be able to provide an estimated time of release or age of the product. These results may be correlated with other site characteristics to provide a more thorough understanding of the nature and origin at a site. Providing as much background information about a site will allow for the most complete data interpretation. Ask about our Forensic Questionnaire form.

SUBCONTRACT ANALYSES

$45 Density/Specific gravity by ASTMD1217

$60 Viscosity ASTM D445 (subcontracted to Clark Testing) - 20mL

$160 Bromine ASTM D1159 (subcontracted to Clark Testing) - 30mL

$90 Sulfur ASTM D2622 (subcontracted to Clark Testing) – 20mL

$70 Boiling Point ASTM 1120 (subcontracted to Clark Testing) – 125mL

$85 Flashpoint ASTM D93 (subcontracted to Clark Testing) – 100mL

Standard turnaround is 3 weeks – 15 business days

Surcharges for rush turnaround are as follows (The lab MUST be notified before samples are sent of any rush request to see our capability – samples not sent with lab approval cannot be guaranteed a rush request):

2 week: 50%

1 week: 75%

3 days: 100%

48 hour: 200%

EDD cannot be provided in standard tabular formatting. Numerical excel output forms are available upon request.

No additional charge for keeping samples longer than 30 days past sample reporting; however, client MUST notify the lab to keep the samples. If not notified within 30 days of sample reporting, samples will be disposed of

Interested in Environmental Services?

We'd love to tell you more!