The use of the isotopic composition of individual compounds for correlating hydrocarbon products in the environment with their suspected sources

摘要

Correlation of crude oils, or refined products, in the environment with suspected sources is traditionally undertaken using GC and GCMS and, in certain cases, bulk carbon isotope compositions. With crude condensates, or refined products in particular, the absence, or low concentration, of biomarkers restricts their use for making unique correlations. An alternative and, sometimes, complimentary technique for correlation of such products has evolved through the use of combined gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GCIRMS). This approach permits determination of the carbon and hydrogen isotopic composition of individual compounds in the crude oil or refined product to produce isotopic fingerprints for use in correlation studies. In this paper it is proposed to review applications of GCIRMS to the correlation of various spilled products with their suspected sources in different environments, particularly refined products such diesel, fuel oil and gasolines.