Analysis of petroleum-contaminated water by GC/FID with direct aqueous injection

A direct aqueous injection capillary gas chromatography/flame ionization (GC/FID) procedure for the analysis of petroleum-contaminated water was developed and applied to seven water samples saturated with different petroleum products. Separation of C-1 to C-4 alcohols, C-6 to C-9 monoaromatics, MTBE,phenol, aniline, and other compounds, and the detection of BTEX compounds at concentrations at or below their maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) is reported. Among the test compounds analyzed, the only pair found to coelute were 1-butanol and benzene. A method for confirmation of alcohols and polar compounds in the presence of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons was also evaluated. In this case, water samples were analyzed before and after purging. Polar compounds were found to be significant components of the water soluble fractions of commercial petroleum products.