Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons By Gas Chromatography in Colombian Waters and Soils

Abstract

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) were required by the Colombian Environmental Authorities. However, the great diversity of hydrocarbon sources, in addition to the variety of available techniques and analytical methods had created confusion among the users of the data in regards to the appropriate methodologies. This study presents the results obtained in the method validation for the determination of TPHs in waters and soils/sediments using the HRGC/FID technique and its application in the Colombian Exploration and Production (E&P) industry. HRGC coupled to FID Detector (HRGC/FID) was used to determine individual alkane hydrocarbon in the Gasoline Range (GRO) and Diesel Range (DRO). The limit of detection was established in 0.020 µg mL^-1 for waters and 2.30 µg g^-1 for soils and sediments. The recovery percentage of water samples were 101 and 98%, while for soils was 99 and 97% for both, low and high levels of n-alkane hydrocarbons, respectively. This method is an economical, fast and accurate way to determinate TPHs and individual alkane hydrocarbons in water and soil samples. The method provides the robustness, limit of detection and percentage of recovery enough to comply with Colombian environmental regulations.