Identification and quantification of mixed sources of oil spills based on distributions and isotope profiles of long-chain n-alkanes

Combined with quantitative determination of concentration and isotopic composition of petroleum hydrocarbons, weathering simulation experiments on artificially mixed oils and their two end-member oils are performed for identification and quantification of mixed sources. The >C₁₈n-alkanes show no appreciable losses during a short-term weathering process. An approach based on distribution of long-chain n-alkanes (>C₁₈) is suggested for estimating the contribution proportion of each source in mixed oils. Stable carbon isotope profile of individual n-alkanes is a powerful tool to differentiate sources of oil spills, but unavailable to accurately allocate each contribution due to a relatively large analytical error.