The widespread use of petroleum hydrocarbon fuels for transportation, heating and energy has led to the release of these fuels into the environment through accidental spills, long term leakage, or operational losses. As a result, many sites have been found to have soil and water which are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon fuels. As society becomes more cognizant of the negative repercussions of such contamination on soil and water quality, flora, fauna, and human health, it has become necessary to evaluate sites for potential contamination. This study was undertaken because of an apparent lack of consistency among results obtained by analogous analytical methods for diesel fuel contaminants in soil as observed by those in industry and government alike. The goal of this study was to evaluate selected analytical methodologies for diesel fuel related contaminants in soil. The following hypothesis was tested: That new analytical methods for diesel fuel related contaminants in soil perform at least as wellas standard analytical methods while possessing a number of significant benefits. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)