Causation for Variable n-Alkylcyclohexane Distributions in Distillate Nonaqueous Phase Liquids from Mandan, North Dakota

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Abstract
N-alkylcyclohexanes (CHs) occur as a homologous series of relatively degradation-resistant hydrocarbons in crude oil and certain petroleum fuels. The distribution of these in distillate fuels is largely a function of the distillation and blending practices of these fuels. Research previously published in this journal ( Hostettler and Kvenvolden, 2002 Hostettler, F. D. and Kvenvolden, K. A. 2002. Alkylcyclohexanes in environmental geochemistry. Environmental Forensics, 3: 293–301. [CSA] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] [Google Scholar] ) reported that the distribution of CHs in subsurface distillate-dominant nonaqueous liquids phase (NAPLs) from Mandan, ND, had been altered by anaerobic biodegradation that resulted in a shortening of the CHs' alkyl side-chains by a novel, terminal carbon cleavage mechanism. This article presents evidence that supports a more plausible interpretation. These authors contend the available data, which includes soil data unavailable to Hostettler and Kvenvolden (2002) Hostettler, F. D. and Kvenvolden, K. A. 2002. Alkylcyclohexanes in environmental geochemistry. Environmental Forensics, 3: 293–301. [CSA] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] [Google Scholar] at the time their work was completed, demonstrate that the variable CHs distribution in the Mandan NAPLs is attributable to the mixing of different types of distillate fuels (e.g., kerosene and diesel fuels) that contained CH in various proportions, resulting in variable signatures of CHs in the NAPLs.