THE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION OF MARINE HYDROCARBONS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Abstract The basis of a method for the source identification of oil spills by gas chromatographic analysis (‘fingerprinting’) is described. Characteristic compositional parameters for eight different crude oils are given. The environmental degradation of oil by evaporation, dissolution, and bacterial decomposition is discussed. Distinguishing compositional features are still recognisable after more than eight months of weathering. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by the tentative source identification of two samples of beach tar.