The TLC-FID technique using the latroscan is a fast and cost-effective
way to obtain quantitative data on the composition of crude oils and
solvent extracts of rocks. However, its accuracy depends on correct ca
libration of the instrument using standards based on crude oil, since
the use of synthetic standards had resulted in erroneous response fact
ors. In the present study, a North Sea deasphaltened oil from the Oseb
erg held (NSO-1) was fingerprinted and separated into saturated hydroc
arbons, aromatic hydrocarbons and polars on a large scale, using prepa
rative TLC. These fractions were later mixed to provide a standard, wh
ich was used to calibrate Iatroscan and monitor the responses of the i
ndividual fractions. This standard has been shown to be stable for rou
tine use and will, if adopted, render inter-laboratory data comparison
s more reliable. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.