Determination of hydrocarbons Oil and greaselike extractable substances

8 Determination of hydrocarbons (Oil and greaselike extractable substances) General 

and in particular surface water and waste water, can be polluted by mineral, vegetable and animal oils and greases, waxes etc. These can arise on the one hand in very small quantities in the water in either dissolved or dispersed form but can also, on the other hand, be present as massive contamination in the form of a two-phase system. 

However, natural products such as humic materials may also be determined in part by extraction. 

The formation of emulsions is aided by the presence of surface-active materials (detergents or surfactants). 

Contamination with oil and greaselike substances affects the smell and taste of water and can cause technological problems. Such contamination can also lead to problems relating to health. 

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