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Measuring naphthenic acids concentrations in aqueous environmental samples by liquid chromatography
Tin-Wing Yen1, William P Marsh, Michael D MacKinnon
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., T6G 2E9 Canada.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|April 10, 2004
Summary
A new HPLC method offers a faster, simpler way to measure toxic naphthenic acids in oil sands wastewater. This technique provides lower detection limits and more accurate quantification compared to traditional FTIR spectroscopy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Petroleum Science
Background:
- Naphthenic acids are toxic organic pollutants present in petroleum refinery and oil sands extraction wastewaters.
- Current quantification relies on Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which involves solvent extraction and has limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an improved, simpler, and faster High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for naphthenic acid determination.
- To compare the accuracy and efficiency of the new HPLC method against the established FTIR spectroscopy technique.
Main Methods:
- Development of an HPLC method for detecting 2-nitrophenylhydrazide derivatives of naphthenic acids.
- Analysis of 58 oil sands water samples using both the new HPLC method and conventional FTIR spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- The HPLC method successfully detected naphthenic acids at concentrations as low as 5 mg l(-1).
- Naphthenic acid concentrations measured by FTIR were, on average, 11% higher than those determined by HPLC.
- The HPLC method demonstrated to be simpler and faster than FTIR spectroscopy.
Conclusions:
- The developed HPLC method is a more accurate, efficient, and sensitive alternative for quantifying naphthenic acids in oil sands wastewater.
- This advancement can improve environmental monitoring and management of industrial effluents.