7.1 Analyses of Fossil Matter
The procedures for oil analysis and for bitumen analysis from sedimentary rocks
(including coal and petroleum pollutants in sediments or soil) are highly similar. The
preparatory steps in bitumen analysis involves drying, grinding of the sample
material and the bitumen isolation by an extraction method (Soxhlet extraction,
ASE—see Sect. 3.2). Analysis of oil is preceded by the removal of water and
suspended solid material as well as the precipitation and separation of so-called
asphaltenes (very polar and macromolecular organic matter fraction). Following, the
raw extracts or the pretreated oil sample are subjected to fractionation (see Sect. 3.3)
and, finally, after reduction to a final volume the individual fractions get measured
mainly by GC/MS but also by LC/MS. A scheme of these analytical procedures the
preparatory operations are given in Fig. 7.1.
In the following some standard operation procedures for extraction and fractionation of fossil matter are listed. They derive from the authors’ laboratories.
• removal of
suspensed solid
material
• drying
• asphaltenes
precipitation
sediment/coal
crude oil
bitumen
precleaned oil sample
• fractionation
• drying
• grinding
aromatic
hydrocarbons
NSO
components
aliphatic
hydrocarbons
Fig. 7.1 Principal procedures for fossil matter analyses
136
7 Principal Analytical Procedures in Organic Geochemistry
The procedures for oil analysis and for bitumen analysis from sedimentary rocks
(including coal and petroleum pollutants in sediments or soil) are highly similar. The
preparatory steps in bitumen analysis involves drying, grinding of the sample
material and the bitumen isolation by an extraction method (Soxhlet extraction,
ASE—see Sect. 3.2). Analysis of oil is preceded by the removal of water and
suspended solid material as well as the precipitation and separation of so-called
asphaltenes (very polar and macromolecular organic matter fraction). Following, the
raw extracts or the pretreated oil sample are subjected to fractionation (see Sect. 3.3)
and, finally, after reduction to a final volume the individual fractions get measured
mainly by GC/MS but also by LC/MS. A scheme of these analytical procedures the
preparatory operations are given in Fig. 7.1.
In the following some standard operation procedures for extraction and fractionation of fossil matter are listed. They derive from the authors’ laboratories.
• removal of
suspensed solid
material
• drying
• asphaltenes
precipitation
sediment/coal
crude oil
bitumen
precleaned oil sample
• fractionation
• drying
• grinding
aromatic
hydrocarbons
NSO
components
aliphatic
hydrocarbons
Fig. 7.1 Principal procedures for fossil matter analyses
136
7 Principal Analytical Procedures in Organic Geochemistry