The application of a low temperature ashing method for estimating total residual organic matter (toluene insolubles) in oil sands is described. A linear correlation exists between organic carbon content and loss on ignition at 400 \ub1 10 \ub0C of solvent extracted oil sands. The ratio between total organic carbon and the weight loss on ignition (CT/LOl) owing to the removal of residual organic matter is much lower than that obtained for toluene soluble bitumen fractions, indicating very different chemical composition for the residual organic matter. The measured carbon content of the residual organic matter in oil sands suggests that this material could be a mixture of various fractions contained in resins, asphaltenes, asphaltic acids and humic acids.
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