EPA Method 8015, modified

Current EPA analytical methods do not allow for the complete speciation of the various hydrocarbon compounds. EPA Methods 418.1 and 8015 provide the total amount of petroleum hydrocarbons present. However, only concentrations within a limited hydrocarbon range are applicable to those particular methods. Volatile compounds are usually lost, and samples are typically quantitated against a known hydrocarbon mixture and not the specific hydrocarbon compounds of concern or the petroleum product released. By conducting EPA Method 8015 (Modified) using a gas chromatograph fitted with a capillary column instead of the standard, hand-packed column, additional separation of various fuel-ranged hydrocarbons can be achieved. 

Method 418.1 or modified EPA Method 8015 or similar methods for analysis during remediation of contaminated sites. Thus, there is no standard for TPH analysis each state has adopted its own criteria, and in some cases, developed its own methodologies (Murray 1994). 

In recent several years, many EPA and ASTM methods have been modified (such as the modified EPA method 8015, 8260 and 8270 and the modified ASTM methods 3328-90, 5037-90 and 5739-95) to improve specificity and sensitivity for measuring spilled oil and petroleum products in soils and waters by environmental chemists. For example, EPA Method 8270 has been modified to increase analytical sensitivity and to expand the analyte list to include petroleum specific compounds such as the alkylated PAHs, sulfur, and nitrogen containing PAHs, and biomarker triterpane and sterane compounds. The principal modification to EPA Method 8270 is the use of the high resolution GC-MS selected ion mode (SIM) analysis that olfers increased sensitivity relative to the full scan mode. Many environmental laboratories have used the modified EPA Method 8270, combined with column cleanup and rigorous QA measures, to identify and quantify low levels of hydrocarbons. 

---