Abstract: Systems and methods evaluate the grade or API gravity of petroleum. The methods and systems disclosed herein overcome many of the difficulties commonly associated with petroleum exploration. The methods and systems include collecting fluorescence emission spectra of soil samples and inputting these into an artificial neural network, which is able to rapidly and accurately assess and classify data from multiple soil samples. Additionally, the methods and systems can be useful in identifying other compounds related to or commonly found together with petroleum, including hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for detecting and determining the presence and grade of petroleum oil in a sample. The methods and systems use the fluorescence produced by one or more transition metals present in the oil to detect and determine the presence and grade of the oil in the sample. The fluorescence produced by the metals is also useful as marker for tracking presence oil in the soil. The methods and offset the problems of the existing exploration technologies described above mentioned. Additionally, the methods and systems can be useful in identifying other compounds related to petroleum oil, such as carbon, hydrogen, and other types of aromatic compounds.