Neutral and acidic fractions of cold lake bitumen asphaltene were separated on a KOH treated silica column. It was observed that the neutral fraction can be separated by using CHCl3 as solvent (eluent) while the acidic fraction can be separated by a CHCl3 + HCOOH mixture. While the distribution of VO2+ ion was approximately the same in the different fractions, the concentration of the radicals may be significantly more in the acidic fraction. The acidic fraction separated has the largest impact on decreasing the interfacial tension (IFT) between asphaltene (in toluene) and 25 mM NaOH solution. It was also observed that adsorbed KOH on silica reacted with CHCl3 when the CHCl3 + HCOOH mixture was passed through the column.