Field Screening Technique for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soils

Abstract

Available field screening tests for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil have addressed petroleum fuels, but not lubricating oils and other petroleum products. However, a new field screening test, Dexsil PetroFLAG, has been developed by the Dexsil Corp., Hamden, Conn., for all types of petroleum hydrocarbons. The field test system was first successfully utilized by the investigators to define the limits of contamination at a site where lubricating oil was found in a dry well. The test system was employed while utilizing limited laboratory confirmation on a 24-hour turnaround basis. After this initial success, it was clear that the field screening test had significant potential for utilization at other sites. The investigators then used this method to define the extent of lubricating oil contamination in a sensitive wetlands area and associated buffer zone before a final remediation plan was developed. The use of the field screening kit significantly reduced the cost of analytical work associated with the assessment. It also eliminated the need to repetitively sample areas to obtain further definition. The field results of the sampling program are described herein and are compared with laboratory analytical data. The cost savings derived from using the field screening test are also presented. In addition, some specific recommendations that were developed as a result of the field use of this system are provided.