This test method is useful for rapid identification of waterborne petroleum oil samples as well as oil samples obtained from fuel or storage tanks, or from sand, vegetation, or other substrates. This test method is applicable to weathered and unweathered neat oil samples.

The unknown oil is identified through the comparison of the fluorescence spectrum of the oil with the spectra (obtained at similar instrumental settings on the same instrument) of possible source samples. A match of the entire spectrum between the unknown and possible source sample indicates a common source.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the comparison of waterborne petroleum oils with oils from possible sources by means of fluorescence spectroscopy (1). Useful references for this test method include: (2) and (3) for fluorescence analysis in general and (4), (5), and (6) for oil spill identification including fluorescence.

1.2 This test method is applicable to crude or refined petroleum products, for any sample of neat oil, waterborne oil, or sample of oil-soaked material. Unless the samples are collected soon after the spill occurs, it is not recommended that volatile fuels such as gasoline, kerosine, and No. 1 fuel oils be analyzed by this test method, because their fluorescence signatures change rapidly with weathering. Some No. 2 fuel oils and light crude oils may only be identifiable up to 2 days weathering, or less, depending on the severity of weathering. In general, samples weathered up to 1 week may be identified, although longer periods of weathering may be tolerated for heavy residual oils, oil weathered under Arctic conditions, or oil that has been protected from weathering by collecting in a thick layer.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D3325 Practice for Preservation of Waterborne Oil Samples

D3326 Practice for Preparation of Samples for Identification of Waterborne Oils

D3415 Practice for Identification of Waterborne Oils

D4489 Practices for Sampling of Waterborne Oils

E131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy

E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers

E520 Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and Absorption Spectrometry

Keywords

fluorescence spectral emission; fluorescence spectroscopy; oil identification; UV-VIS fluorescence; waterborne petroleum oils; Fluorescence--water analysis; Fluorescence spectrochemical analysis; Fuel oils; Oil identification; Oil spill control systems; Petroleum oils; Sampling containers; Sampling water analysis applications; Sand; Substrates; Ultraviolet (UV) analysis--water; Vegetation--plant tissues; Waterborne oils ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 75.080 (Petroleum products in general)

Citing ASTM Standards

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