Forensic Hydrocarbon Analysis

Hydrocarbon forensics, also known as petroleum forensics or petroleum fingerprinting, identifies its origin, composition, and source. Understanding the hydrocarbons you are dealing with is critical to determining the best course of action. Alfa Chemistry has extensive experience in hydrocarbon forensics, analyzing samples containing unknown petroleum products. By analyzing the unique chemical and isotopic signatures of hydrocarbons, we can identify and differentiate between different petroleum sources such as crude oil, refined products, or specific oil fields. With our state-of-the-art environmental analysis laboratory, we are capable of providing definitive, legally sound analytical data.

Sample that clients can provide for Alfa Chemistry:

• Water
• Soil
• Air
• Sediment
• Tissue
• Free product
• Non-aqueous liquid samples

Alfa Chemistry's hydrocarbon forensics analytical capabilities

• GC/FID fingerprinting

GC-FID hydrocarbon analysis is known as Petroleum Hydrocarbon Identification (PHI). Alfa Chemistry employs the GC/FID method for analyzing petroleum hydrocarbon samples, enabling the identification of extractable petroleum products. By comparing sample chromatograms to our petroleum standard reference library, we provide detailed analytical reports outlining the identified components.

• Saturated hydrocarbon analysis (SHC)

Based on EPA Method 8015, SHC analysis focuses on extractable hydrocarbons. Our reports include data for 32 n-alkanes and 5 isoprenes, as well as total concentrations of saturated and total petroleum hydrocarbons. Upon request, we can provide SCH and PHI data from a single GC-FID analysis, including a PHI characterization narrative and specific information on SHC target compounds.

• Whole oil analysis

Alfa Chemistry offers a performance-based method for analyzing non-aqueous liquid samples derived from various sources such as oil, gasoline, heavy fuels, and distillates. Our analysis employs GC/MS or GC/FID techniques, providing high-resolution sample chromatograms and alkane reference standard chromatograms for determining overall composition.

Figure 1. Hydrocarbon patterns of dust and soil samples generated by high-resolution hydrocarbon fingerprinting and forensic PAH methods. (JCR Gouvêa Jr, et al. 2019)

• Geochemical biomarker analysis

Through biomarker analysis, including terpene alkanes, steroidal alkanes, and tri-aromatic steroids, we assess possible sources of contamination. Biomarkers, in conjunction with other field data (e.g., PAH, alkylated PAH, and alkanes), aid in identifying sources of contamination.

• Analysis of PIANO

Alfa Chemistry identifies and measures more than 120 volatile paraffins, isoparaffins, aromatics, cycloalkanes, and olefins (PIANO) compounds using our improved Method 8260. This gas-phase PIANO analysis provides additional evidence for vapor-intrusive applications and other relevant purposes.

• Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) analysis

We performed risk assessment analyses using a two-tiered ecological risk assessment methodology.

• The potential bioavailability of PAH was assessed based on whole sediment analysis and detected PAH concentrations were assessed based on established equilibrium partitioning guidelines.
• Potential PAH bioavailability is measured by analyzing sediment pore water. Pore water analysis can be performed on pore water samples collected in the field, in the laboratory by centrifuging the sediment to generate pore water samples, or using SPME.

Our forensic analysis of PAH and alkylated PAH includes presenting results in the form of histograms, visually representing relative target analyte concentrations for qualitative fingerprinting of petroleum samples.

Alfa Chemistry's technology platforms include, but are not limited to:

• Gas chromatography.
• Liquid chromatography.
• Mass spectrometry.
• Isotope analysis.
• Other advanced chemical analytical methods.

Examples of hydrocarbons testing method:

• EPA 8015D (SW-846) Processing of Non-Halogenated Organics by GC/FID
• ASTM D7363-13 Determination of Matrix and Alkyl PAHs in Sediment Pore Water by SPME and GC/MS
• ASTM 8270 (SW-846) Determination of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds by GC-MS
• ASTM D5134 Analysis of naphtha by GC

Applications of the service in the industry include:

• Oil spill investigation (to determine the source and type of oil involved).
• Environmental contamination (identifying the source of the contamination).
• Fuel adulteration detection (identifying the presence of additives, diluents, or unauthorized blending).
• Criminal investigation of petroleum-related crimes.

Contact Alfa Chemistry today for more information.

Reference

• JCR Gouvêa Jr, et al. "Environmental Forensic Investigation in the Residential Neighborhood Volta Grande IV, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil, Using TPH and PAHs Analyses in Soil Samples." Journal of Environmental Protection. 2019, 10(07), 972-991.