Use of fluorimetry in determination of DDB contamination in soils from underground oil-filled power cable leaks

The authors describe the application of fluorimetry to determine low levels of cable oil contamination in various soil types. The study has utilised a simple extraction technique using two different solvents to investigate th eir efficiency, speed and reproducibility. The sensitivity of the fluorimet er has also been assessed and the results discussed and compared with those obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results in dicate: that extraction efficiency over 80% is obtainable when hexane is us ed to extract the Oil from the soil. The technique has a sensitivity of app roximately 10ppm (w/w) and has an acceptable accuracy of measurement of ove r 80%.