Quantitative Analysis of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soils: Comparison between Reflectance Spectroscopy and Solvent Extraction by 3 Certified Laboratories
The commonly used analytic method for assessing total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil, EPA method 418.1, is usually based on extraction with 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon 113) and FTIR spectroscopy of the extracted solvent. This method is widely used for initial site investigation, due to the relative low price per sample. It is known that the extraction efficiency varies depending on the extracting solvent and other sample properties. This study’s main goal was to evaluate reflectance spectroscopy as a tool for TPH assessment, as compared with three commercial certified laboratories using traditional methods. Large variations were found between the results of the three commercial laboratories, both internally (average deviation up to 20%), and between laboratories (average deviation up to 103%). Reflectance spectroscopy method was found be as good as the commercial laboratories in terms of accuracy and could be a viable field-screening tool that is rapid, environmental friendly, and cost effective. 1. Introduction Among the chemicals that are relevant as environmental contaminants, petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) are of particular significance. The widespread use of PHC for transportation, heating and industry has led to the release of these petroleum products into the environment through accidental spills, long-term leakage, or operational failures. Consequently, many soil and water areas are contaminated with PHC. PHC are well known to be neurotoxic to humans and animals. Several studies have been conducted in order to verify the effects of PHC on humans and animals [1–3]. For both the diagnosis of suspected areas and the possibility of controlling the rehabilitation process, there is a great need to measure correctly the amounts of PHC in soils. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is a commonly used gross parameter for quantifying environmental contamination originated by various PHC products such as fuels, oils, lubricants, waxes, and others [4]. Traditional wet chemistry methods for determining TPH level in soil samples is based on extracting the contaminant from the soil sample. The TPH level in the extracted solution is then determined by a gravimetric, FTIR, or GC measurement calibrated by an EPA calibration standard. The TPH gross parameter is in use worldwide and facilitates an important stage of contaminated sites investigation; therefore, it is important to examine the effects of hydrocarbon type and soil properties on the extraction efficiency, as well as cross-lab repeatability. The common method for assessing TPH in soil samples
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