ANALYTICAL METHODS USED IN OIL-SPILL STUDIES

Because of the recent confusion over the concept of 'legally defensible methods' for oil spill studies, often believed to be limited to the analysis of specific polynuclear nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, I restate the need for a hierarchical scheme of methods to be used in environmental assessment studies. I illustrate the success of using several complementary methods in tandem with examples from the results of the Bahia las Minas (Galeta) Oil Spill Study, and present further evidence for reasons why methods must continue to be developed for an expanded range of polar oxidation products.