One-dimensional gas chromatography method such as GC-FID or GC/MS for the analysis of samples resolution and peak capacity has its limits; especially for the unresolved complex mixtures (UCMs). For example, during the oil analysis resolution separation process, the co-elution phenomenon occurs. Two-dimensional gas chromatography technique is proposed to use the two different polar columns to overcome the co-elution problem. Key features of this technique are the use of an on-column thermal modulator to collect sample portions from the primary column and transfer them to the secondary column and the variation of retention in the secondary column as a function of progress of the primary column to orthogonalize the separation. This project intends to establish and develop the comprehensive GCxGC techniques and further to study its feasibility. Reported in this issue has been performed according to plan work content. A total of 25 papers of the two-dimensional gas chromatography and its related oil spill fingerprint forensic literature are collected. In addition, we use UZ crude oil samples which are provided by “Environmental Analysis Laboratory of EPA” to establish comprehensive GCxGC conditions. Based on the comprehensive GCxGC theory, the analysis conditions, including screening, linear analysis and accuracy (reproducibility analysis) are established. Including using 1647c PAHs standard and 4 pure PAH standards to identify total of 10 PAH compounds. The results compared with the established GC / MS biomarkers, indicating that the current comprehensive GCxGC identification technique could apply to identify oil pollution. For identification technique comments, continuous apply the comprehensive GCxGC data processing software to analyze database to confirm the applicability of the established analysis conditions. The established GC x GC technique was confirmed by applying to 10 crude oils imported from different areas and an oil sample produced from Taiwan. The results show differences between GC/MS and GC x GC data, it could be due to instrumental characteristics, however, although there are some differences between two set of the data, GC x GC technique could reach the goal of separating oil samples from different sources as GC/MS.

Oil pollution, GCxGC, Measuring Technology