ABSTRACT
This chapter describes and discusses one approach toward developing this capability, namely, the study of the fate of oil in laboratory soil microcosms or “soil boxes.” The soil was a homogeneous mixture of garden topsoil and sand, to give an organic carbon content of approximately 2%. The prominent peaks remaining after four months include the isoprenoids and other microbiologically recalcitrant hydrocarbons, which are relatively resistant to degradation. The unresolved mass or “hump” under the peaks gradually changes shape over the four months. The major reason for this is that it is difficult to study all three processes in isolation. The amount of oil which is dissolved in the water can be measured, and the change in oil composition can be assessed by analysis of the oil after exposure to water. A fundamental modeling problem arises at this point. Oil or oil components can migrate through the soil matrix by few general pathways.
