ABSTRACT
Spills and leaks of petroleum products including gasoline, diesel fuel, and lubricating and heating oil often result in the contamination of soil and water. Analyses required to evaluate the extent of such releases and the threat they present to public health and the environment take a variety of forms. Analytical objectives are also diverse and often poorly specified. The source material for nearly all petroleum products is crude oil. Initial processing involves distillation into a series of fractions characterized by distillation temperature ranges and pressures. In general, the lighter fractions represent gasoline-range material. The intermediate or middle distillate fractions represent feedstock for diesel and jet fuels and “light” heating oils. Experiences with methyl tert-butyl ether should tell us that petroleum product chemistry is not constant. As sources of crude oil, other raw materials, and economic factors change, significant changes in product composition are expected. Analytical methods must change accordingly.
