Interpretation of Gas Chromatographic Data in Subsurface Hydrocarbon Investigations |
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| Authors: | Randolph B. Senn Martin S. Johnson |
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| Affiliation: | Randolph B. Senn is a hydrogeologist with the Ground Water Management Section in the Environmental Affairs and Safety Department of Amoco Corp. (P.O. Box 3385, Tulsa, OK 74102), where his experiences include ground water and subsurface contamination studies. Prior to this, he worked for four years with a consultant in Denver, Colorado, where he was involved with various types of water supply studies including ground water computer modeling. He received his B.S. in environmental engineering and M.S. in hydrology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He is a Certified Ground Water Professional with the National Water Well Association, and a member of the American Geophysical Union.;Martin S. Johnson is a hydrogeologist with the Ground Water Management Section in the Environmental Affairs and Safety Department of Amoco Corp. (P.O. Box 3385, Tulsa, OK 74102), where he has been involved in ground water and subsurface contamination studies. Previously, he was employed as a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Nebraska and an engineering geologist with the Kansas State Department of Transportation. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology from Kansas State University. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the National Water Well Association. |
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| Abstract: | Capillary column gas chromatography (GC) is extremely useful in investigations of subsurface contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons. Fluid samples collected from observation wells are evaluated by GC methods to detect and analyze petroleum hydrocarbons in dissolved and liquid phases. The presence, types and concentrations of many petroleum-derived hydrocarbons dissolved in ground water can be determined. GC analysis can also be used to determine the composition of liquid hydrocarbon products, including gasoline, distillates and heavier oils. The degree of degradation of sampled liquid hydrocarbon product can be estimated from GC information, and this information can be helpful in estimating the length of time the product has been in the subsurface. Determination of the hydrocarbon source and migration path can be made from GC analysis of fluid samples collected at two or more locations.
This paper is intended to demonstrate interpretative techniques that can be used by hydrogeologists to facilitate the detection, identification and mitigation of subsurface hydrocarbons. |
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