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Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrometry: Aromatic Compound Fragmentation01:23

Mass Spectrometry: Aromatic Compound Fragmentation

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Upon ionization, aromatic compounds generate a molecular ion that is observed as a prominent peak in their mass spectra. For example, the molecular ion peak for benzene appears at a mass-to-charge ratio of 78, while toluene is observed at a mass-to-charge ratio of 92. The molecular ion benzene is highly stable and does not readily undergo further fragmentation due to the significant amount of energy required to disrupt the aromatic stability of the benzene ring. In contrast, the molecular ion...
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Forensic source attribution for toluene in environmental samples.

Philip I Richards1, Court D Sandau1

  • 1Chemistry Matters, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
|October 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Distinguishing toluene from petroleum releases versus natural sources is crucial for environmental investigations. This study shows a reliable analytical method to differentiate between petrogenic and biogenic toluene origins.

Keywords:
BiogenicEnvironmental chemistryEnvironmental forensicsOil spillSoil contaminationTolueneWetland

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Microbiological processes can produce toluene, complicating environmental investigations of petroleum releases.
  • Toluene's presence in wetlands can be misattributed to petroleum contamination, leading to inaccurate assessments.
  • Currently, no legally defensible methods exist to distinguish between biogenic and petrogenic toluene sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate a reliable method for distinguishing the origin of toluene in environmental samples.
  • To provide a legally defensible approach for environmental forensic investigations involving toluene.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an established ASTM International analytical methodology, originally developed for arson analysis.
  • Analyzed petrogenic toluene samples and peat samples from a poor bog and a poor fen wetland environment.
  • Applied environmental forensic data-interpretation methods, including chromatogram inspection and diagnostic ratios.

Main Results:

  • The study successfully demonstrated the capability of the chosen analytical methodology to differentiate toluene origins.
  • Chromatogram inspection and diagnostic ratios proved effective in distinguishing biogenic and petrogenic toluene.
  • The method provides a reliable way to identify the source of toluene in wetland environments.

Conclusions:

  • An established analytical method can reliably distinguish between biogenic and petrogenic toluene.
  • This methodology offers a legally defensible approach for environmental forensic investigations.
  • Accurate source determination of toluene is vital for effective environmental remediation and regulatory compliance.