Experimental soil-disposal tests were conducted in the laboratory in a controlled environment and on the field plots. Approximately 4792 kg sludge was spread on the six experimental plots in the field over a six-month test period during which 4.7% of this sludge was lost to the atmosphere by volatilization. This was equivalent to 6.5 percent of the total oil applied. Fourteen different hydrocarbons were identified and quantified by gas chromatographic analysis.

This study was designed to assess the atmospheric emissions from land treatment of petroleum oily sludges. Sampling, analytical techniques and instrumentation developed during the first year of the project were perfected and evaluated for monitoring, collection and analysis of volatile hydrocarbons being emitted to the atmosphere. The areas of investigations included (1) determining the rate of emission and concentration of total volatiles; (2) the quantification and identification of some pollutants being emitted to the atmosphere, (3) developing a statistical model to evaluate the effects of sludge loading rate, soil temperature, soil moisture content and relative humidity on the rate of emission.

Regression analysis was made on the data and statistically valid relationships were found between the rate of emission and the loading rate, soil temperature, soil moisture content, relative humidity and time since application of sludge.