Standard Test Method for
Comparison of Waterborne Petroleum Oils By
Fluorescence Analysis1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3650; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of the last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the comparison of waterborne
petroleum oils with oils from possible sources by means of
fluorescence spectroscopy (1).2 Useful references for this test
the method include: (2) and (3) for fluorescence analysis in general
and (4), (5), and (6) for oil spill identification including
fluorescence.
1.2 This test method is applicable to crude or refined
petroleum products, for any sample of neat oil, waterborne oil,
or sample of oil-soaked material. Unless the samples are
collected soon after the spill occurs, it is not recommended that
volatile fuels such as gasoline, kerosene, and No. 1 fuel oils be
analyzed by this test method, because their fluorescence
signatures change rapidly with weathering. Some No. 2 fuel
oils and light crude oils may only be identifiable up to 2 days
weathering, or less, depending on the severity of weathering. In
general, samples weathered up to 1 week may be identified,
although longer periods of weathering may be tolerated for
heavy residual oils, oil weathered under Arctic conditions, or
the oil that has been protected from weathering by collecting in a
thick layer.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water3
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water3
D 1796 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by
the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure)4
Click below to download Astm D 3650 – 93 (Reapproved 1999) pdf free
