Discrimination methods for diesel origin by analyzing fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) composition in diesel-contaminated soil

The biodiesel containing fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are blended with refined diesel products. Here, we evaluate relative FAME composition ratio as a potential index to discriminate the pollution origin in diesel-contaminated soil. Artificially contaminated soil was prepared to mimic the release of petroleum products using four different refined diesels; in addition, the contaminated soil was put under natural weathering conditions. The variations in the relative FAME composition ratio was compared with those of the corresponding diesel origin using principal component analysis (PCA) for 60 days. All soil samples could be classified into four groups according to diesel origin using two principal components. The proposed method can be used to discriminate the specific diesel pollution origin in contaminated soils.

Automated summary

The study evaluates the relative FAME composition ratio as a potential index for discriminating pollution origin in diesel-contaminated soil. Using artificial contamination and natural weathering conditions, soil samples from different diesel origins were classified into four groups based on two principal components analyzed through PCA. This proposed method can effectively discriminate specific diesel pollution origins in contaminated soils.