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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon purification procedures for compound specific isotope analysis
Moonkoo Kim1, Mahlon C Kennicutt, Yaorong Qian
1Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, 833 Graham Road, College Station, Texas 77845, USA. moonkoo.kim@wmich.edu
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 30, 2005
Summary
This study introduces a new method to measure stable carbon isotopes in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This technique helps identify contaminant sources in environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Isotope Geochemistry
Background:
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants.
- Understanding PAH sources is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
- Stable isotope analysis offers a powerful tool for source apportionment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a robust method for purifying and analyzing the stable carbon isotope ratios of individual PAHs in environmental matrices.
- To assess the efficiency and accuracy of the developed purification and isotope analysis techniques.
- To demonstrate the utility of the method in identifying PAH sources in complex environmental settings.
Main Methods:
- Sample extracts underwent fractionation via column chromatography.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were employed for purification.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in full scan mode verified isolate purity.
- Stable carbon isotope ratios were measured using validated analytical protocols.
Main Results:
- The purification method achieved a mean recovery of approximately 80% for all compounds.
- Standard deviation for isotope ratio analyses ranged from 0.1 to 0.4‰ for standards and 0.1 to 0.7‰ for environmental extracts.
- The method demonstrated high accuracy and precision when tested with authentic standards.
- Purified PAHs retained their original isotopic signatures, enabling source identification.
Conclusions:
- The developed purification and isotope analysis method accurately measures stable carbon isotope ratios in individual PAHs from environmental samples.
- This technique effectively purifies samples while preserving isotopic integrity, allowing for reliable source apportionment.
- Stable carbon isotope composition of PAHs serves as a valuable tracer for inferring contaminant origins in diverse environmental settings.