ABSTRACT
Portable analytical instrumentation is widely used to investigate and document conditions of environmental contamination by volatile organic compounds, including media contamination by complex mixtures such as gasoline and other light petroleum distillates. In addition to providing substantial cost-savings over traditional laboratory procedures, the utilization of such equipment provides immediate onsite data for use in assessment or remedial response actions. Research was conducted to investigate the use and utility of a photoionization detector and a flame ionization detector meter for the field headspace analysis of soil and water samples contaminated with unleaded gasoline. The chemistry and environmental fate of gasoline. Industry specifications for gasoline products are based upon physical and performance-orientated criteria, and not upon a designated chemical formulation. In addition to a variety of additives, refined gasolines may contain any combination of petroleum hydrocarbons from C2 through C13.
