Summary

A method is described for determining the relative extent of weathering in moderately biodegraded, hydrocarboncontaminated soils from Antarctica. Plotting the pristane diastereomer ratio (PrDR) vs. pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) allows the relative extent of weathering (primarily evaporation in this case) to be determined. PrDR is used to account for biodegradation as it is independent of evaporation. The method is straightforward and as robust as conventional ratios.

Authors:McIntyre C.P. Harvey P.McA. Ferguson S. Wressnig A.M. Snape I. George S.C. Published in: 2007 Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature Program area: Environmental Protection and Change
McIntyre C.P., Harvey P.McA., Ferguson S., Wressnig A.M., Snape I., George S.C. (2007) Determining the extent of weathering of spilled fuel in contaminated soil using the diastereomers of pristane and phytane, Organic Geochemistry 38. 2131-2134;

Related projects

Rates of depletion of lubricant and fuel contaminants from Antarctic regions during natural attenuation and remediation procedures GEORGE, Prof. Simon Casey, Australia (or home country)
Remediation of petroleum contaminants in the Antarctic and subantarctic SNAPE, Dr Ian Davis, Australia (or home country), Macquarie Island, Other, Casey
on