Gas Chromatography-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (GC-APCI) Expands the Analytical Window for Detection of...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Open waste burning, fires, and maritime disasters generate pyroplastics, or partially burnt plastics.
• Identifying pyroplastics, especially microplastics, in environmental samples is challenging using traditional methods.
• Pyroplastics are enriched with specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) up to 278 Da.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of large PAHs (≥24 ringed-carbons) as chemical markers for pyroplastics.
• To develop a sensitive analytical method for detecting these large PAHs in environmental samples.

Main Methods:

• A high-temperature gas chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-APCI-MS/MS) method was developed.
• The method targets large PAHs with molecular weights from 314-424 Da.
• A simple microextraction technique was employed, eliminating the need for sample fractionation or cleanup.

Main Results:

• The developed method achieved sensitive and specific detection of large PAHs.
• Pyroplastic samples from the M/V X-Press Pearl incident showed over 100 times higher concentrations of 16 large PAHs (314-424 Da) compared to unburnt plastic pellets.
• Several candidate compounds, including 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, were identified as potential pyroplastic markers.

Conclusions:

• Large PAHs can serve as effective chemical markers for identifying pyroplastics in environmental matrices.
• The developed analytical method is suitable for detecting these markers without complex sample preparation.
• Chemical markers for pyroplastics will aid in monitoring air quality, waste management, and microplastic pollution.