Samples Undergo Liquid Chromatograph Column Analysis

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon Drilling Platform exploded and sank, causing the largest oil spill yet recorded. Samples from the oil spill were collected by Louisiana USGS scientists Greg Swayze and Charlie Demas and sent for analysis in Menlo Park, CA. Following the dissolution of the samples in solvents, the solutions are run through a liquid chromatograph column. The column provides a preliminary separation of the various compounds found within the sample. Considering the extreme complexity of the petroleum, this initial separation facilitates the finer separation process that occurs later.