ASTM D3415-98(2011)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Identificaiton of Waterborne Oils
Standard Practice for Identificaiton of Waterborne Oils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Oil from one crude oil field is readily distinguishable from another, and differences in the makeup of oils from the same crude oil field can often be observed as well. Refined oils are fractions from crude oil stocks, usually derived from distillation processes. Two refined oils of the same type differ because of dissimilarities in the characteristics of their crude oil feed stocks as well as variations in refinery processes and any subsequent contact with other oils mixed in during transfer operations from residues in tanks, ships, pipes, hoses, and so forth. Thus, all petroleum oils, to some extent, have chemical compositions different from each other.
Identification of a recovered oil is determined by comparison with known oils selected because of their possible relationship to the particular recovered oil, for example, suspected sources. Thus, samples of such known oils must be collected and submitted along with the unknown for analysis. Identification of the source of an unknown oil by itself cannot be made without comparison to a known oil. The principles of oil spill identification are discussed in Ref (1).
Many similarities (within uncertainties of sampling, analysis and weathering) will be needed to establish the identity beyond a reasonable doubt. The analyses described will distinguish many, but not all samples. Examples of weathering of various classes of oils are included in Ref (2).
This practice is a guide to the use of ASTM test methods for the analysis of oil samples for oil spill identification purposes. The evaluation of results from analytical methods and preparation of an Oil Spill Identification Report are discussed in this practice. Other analytical methods are described in Ref (3).
A quality assurance program for oil spill identification is specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the broad concepts of sampling and analyzing waterborne oils for identification and comparison with suspected source oils. Detailed procedures are referenced in this practice. A general approach is given to aid the investigator in planning a program to solve the problem of chemical characterization and to determine the source of a waterborne oil sample.
1.2 This practice is applicable to all waterborne oils taken from water bodies, either natural or man-made, such as open oceans, estuaries or bays, lakes, rivers, smaller streams, canals; or from beaches, marshes, or banks lining or edging these water systems. Generally, the waterborne oils float on the surface of the waters or collect on the land surfaces adjoining the waters, but occasionally these oils, or portions, are emulsified or dissolved in the waters, or are incorporated into the sediments underlying the waters, or into the organisms living in the water or sediments.
1.3 This practice as presently written proposes the use of specific analytical techniques described in the referenced ASTM standards. As additional techniques for characterizing waterborne oils are developed and written up as test methods, this practice will be revised.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D3415 −98 (Reapproved 2011)
Standard Practice for
Identification of Waterborne Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3415; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D3326 Practice for Preparation of Samples for Identification
of Waterborne Oils
1.1 This practice covers the broad concepts of sampling and
D3328 Test Methods for Comparison of Waterborne Petro-
analyzing waterborne oils for identification and comparison
leum Oils by Gas Chromatography
with suspected source oils. Detailed procedures are referenced
D3414 Test Method for Comparison of Waterborne Petro-
in this practice. A general approach is given to aid the
leum Oils by Infrared Spectroscopy
investigator in planning a program to solve the problem of
D3650 Test Method for Comparison of Waterborne Petro-
chemical characterization and to determine the source of a
leum Oils By Fluorescence Analysis
waterborne oil sample.
D4489 Practices for Sampling of Waterborne Oils
1.2 This practice is applicable to all waterborne oils taken
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
from water bodies, either natural or man-made, such as open
D5037 Test Method for Comparison of Waterborne Petro-
oceans, estuaries or bays, lakes, rivers, smaller streams, canals;
leum Oils by High Performance Liquid Chromatography
or from beaches, marshes, or banks lining or edging these 3
(Withdrawn 2002)
water systems. Generally, the waterborne oils float on the
D5739 Practice for Oil Spill Source Identification by Gas
surface of the waters or collect on the land surfaces adjoining
Chromatography and Positive Ion Electron Impact Low
the waters, but occasionally these oils, or portions, are emul-
Resolution Mass Spectrometry
sified or dissolved in the waters, or are incorporated into the
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-
sediments underlying the waters, or into the organisms living
nical Experts
in the water or sediments.
3. Terminology
1.3 This practice as presently written proposes the use of
specific analytical techniques described in the referenced
3.1 Definitions:
ASTM standards. As additional techniques for characterizing
3.1.1 waterborne oil—any oil, whether or not derived from
waterborne oils are developed and written up as test methods,
petroleum, carried by a water system (for example, ocean, bay,
this practice will be revised.
lake, river, etc.) usually at the surface but occasionally emul-
sified or dissolved in the water. The waterborne oil can also be
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety
found on beaches or banks edging the water body, in the
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
sediments underlying the water, or in the organisms living in
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
the water or in the sediments.
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
3.2 Definitions—For definitions of other terms used in this
practice, refer to Terminology D1129, and to Practices D3325,
2. Referenced Documents
D3326, D4489, and D5739, and Test Methods D3328, D3650,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and D5037.
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
4. Significance and Use
D3325 Practice for Preservation of Waterborne Oil Samples
4.1 Oil from one crude oil field is readily distinguishable
from another, and differences in the makeup of oils from the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
same crude oil field can often be observed as well. Refined oils
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods for Analysis for
are fractions from crude oil stocks, usually derived from
Organic Substances in Water.
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally
distillation processes. Two refined oils of the same type differ
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D3415 – 98 (2004).
because of dissimilarities in the characteristics of their crude
DOI: 10.1520/D3415-98R11.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3415−98 (2011)
oil feed stocks as well as variations in refinery processes and match, investigate the problem. If there is a problem with one
any subsequent contact with other oils mixed in during transfer instrument, the analysis must be repeated for that test method
operations from residues in tanks, ships, pipes, hoses, and so after the problem is corrected. If there is a sample preparation
forth. Thus, all petroleum oils, to some extent, have chemical problem, the analysis should be repeated after the problem is
compositions different from each other. identified.
4.2 Identification of a recovered oil is determined by com- 5.5 Analysis of Samples:
parison with known oils selected because of their possible 5.5.1 Analyze spill samples as well as any suspected source
relationship to the particular recovered oil, for example, oils, by gas chromatography (Test Method A or B of Test
suspected sources. Thus, samples of such known oils must be Methods D3328, D3414) and by either infrared analysis (Test
collected and submitted along with the unknown for analysis. Method D3414, D3650), or fluorescence spectroscopy (Test
Identification of the source of an unknown oil by itself cannot Method D3650, D4489). Interpretation of the gas chromato-
be made without comparison to a known oil. The principles of grams and infrared or fluorescence spectra of the waterborne
oil spill identification are discussed in Ref (1). oil and the suspected source oils should provide information as
to whether the waterborne oil is from a petroleum source,
4.3 Many similarities (within uncertainties of sampling,
whether its carbon-number range is similar to distillate,
analysis and weathering) will be needed to establish the
residual, or crude oil, and whether it resembles any of the
identity beyond a reasonable doubt. The analyses described
possible suspected source oils. If the waterborne oil is
will distinguish many, but not all samples. Examples of
weathered, it may not be possible to determine if it is a crude
weathering of various classes of oils are included in Ref (2).
oil or a residual oil by gas chromatography. Odor and physical
4.4 ThispracticeisaguidetotheuseofASTMtestmethods
appearance may help to determine if the waterborne oil is
for the analysis of oil samples for oil spill identification
actually from a petroleum source. Distillation is not required.
purposes. The
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