The effectiveness of a dispersant may be analyzed with the following equations. The Area refers to the area under the absorbance/wavelength curve, which is determined using the trapezoidal rule. The absorbances are measured at 340, 370, and 400 nm.
Area = 30(Abs + Abs)/2 + 30(Abs + Abs)/2           (1)
The dispersant effectiveness may then be calculated using the equation below.
Effectiveness (%) = Total oil dispersed x 100/(ρV)
* ρ = density of the test oil (g/L)
* V = volume of oil added to test flask (L)
* Total oil dispersed = mass of oil x 120mL/30mL
* Mass of oil = concentration oil x V
* V = final volume of DCM-extract of water sample (0.020 L)
* Concentration of oil = area determined by Equation (1) / slope of calibration curve