Characterization and evaluation of JP‐4, jet a and mixtures of these fuels in environmental water samples

Capillary gas chromatographic data can be used to distinguish between JP‐4 and commercial Jet A fuels that have contaminated groundwater. This is accomplished from chromatographic patterns by using normalized area percents of the C‐15 and C‐16 n ‐alkane components. Analyses of the neat fuels, mixtures of the neat fuels and of their solvent extract from water have been performed. Analyses of contaminated groundwaters have identified the presence of jet fuel and other distillate fuels similar to diesel fuel. Even with the complex nature of these fuels, percent amounts of each fuel present as a contaminant could be determined. This technique may prove useful in determining the party responsible for pollution of groundwater.