What Was Released? Assessing the Physical Properties and Chemical Composition of Petroleum and Products of Burned Oil

The severity of oil spills depends on the quantity material released and its physical chemical properties. total amount petroleum spilled during Deepwater Horizon incident relative fractions compound classes Macondo were obtained by measurements, observations, model calculations, with a significant uncertainty. Because is an extremely complex mixture many thousands or more gaseous, liquid, solid constituents, full elucidation their compositions at molecular level impossible presently available analytical techniques. This paper reviews published work widely used techniques points out that scientists’ varying approaches to research questions preferences for methods analysis constitute source In addition, focus two technical advancements developed over last decades, namely two-dimensional gas chromatography Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Both particularly valuable in weathering products. Among different processes alteration original oil, only situ burning dealt this paper. review reveals paucity data mitigation process shows need systematic coordination burned studies.