| Abstract: | Ultraviolet (UV) light can aid in the investigation of petroleum-contaminated soil and sediment. The visible fluorescence of many petroleum products under UV illumination often results in a striking contrast when compared with surrounding, uncontaminated media. This contrast can be used in a variety of applications, including delineating the extent of petroleum in excavations, locating seeps along shorelines, and selecting sample intervals in sediment cores. In another application, a field screening test using UV light combined with solvent extraction was developed to detect low levels of petroleum in soil. The test rapidly screens soil samples for the presence and relative concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons. The test was used to screen samples for laboratory analysis and identify residual petroleum product in boring samples. |
