Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)This work assesses the applicability of reflectance spectroscopy to monitor petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) leaks in petroleum facilities using the direct detection of the pollutant in bare soils. A controlled, lab-scale experiment is conducted, where red latosols are contaminated with several types of hydrocarbons (crude oils and derivatives) and in different concentrations, in order to simulate leaks. Results portray key spectroscopic characteristics of contaminated soils, spectral temporal variation patterns, and spectral detection limits considering visible-near infrared and short wave infrared wavelengths. Regression analysis models allow quantifying the pollution level and estimating the hydrocarbon type. This seamless method has a great potential to be used in environmental monitoring of bare soil along refineries and pipelines. (c) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.175323336CNPq (Brazilian Research Council) [142051/2012-8]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)