Analysis of Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH)

Importance of the topic

The quantitative determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is essential for assessing soil and water contamination, guiding remediation strategies, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Objectives and study overview

This study presents an optimized gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) method for profiling aliphatic hydrocarbons (C8–C40) in environmental samples. Key goals include achieving baseline separation of hydrocarbon homologues and maximizing sensitivity and reproducibility.

Methodology and instrumentation

• Instrument: Shimadzu GC-2010 equipped with FID.
• Column: SH-I-1MS capillary (20 m×0.18 mm I.D., 0.18 μm film thickness).
• Oven program: 40 °C (1 min) ramped at 20 °C/min to 330 °C, held for 10 min.
• Carrier gas: H₂ at 55 cm/s (constant linear velocity).
• Injection: Split ratio 1:20, 0.5 μL at 275 °C.
• Detection: FID at 350 °C.

Key results and discussion

The optimized conditions enabled clear resolution of n-alkane standards from C8 through C40 at 500 μg/mL. The method demonstrated consistent retention times and peak shape, indicating high reproducibility. The use of hydrogen as a carrier gas reduced analysis time without compromising separation efficiency.

Benefits and practical applications

• Rapid and reliable quantification of TPH in soils, sediments, and water.
• High sensitivity allows detection of trace-level hydrocarbons.
• Applicable for routine environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.

Future trends and potential applications

• Integration with mass spectrometry for enhanced compound identification.
• Automation and high-throughput platforms to increase sample throughput.
• Development of standardized protocols for cross-laboratory comparability.

Conclusion

The presented GC-FID method using an SH-I-1MS column provides a robust, efficient, and reproducible approach for TPH analysis. Its simplicity and reliability make it suitable for diverse environmental applications, supporting regulatory and research needs.