scholarly journals New Methodology for Quantifying Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1131-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney L. Herring ◽  
Celia L. Faiola ◽  
Paola Massoli ◽  
Donna Sueper ◽  
Matthew H. Erickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

scholarly journals Sources and transformations of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexico City

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 12741-12773 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Marr ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
J. L. Jimenez ◽  
F. Reisen ◽  
H. L. Bethel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Field Campaign ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Understanding sources, concentrations, and transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere is important because of their potent mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The measurement of particle-bound PAHs by three different methods during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field campaign in April 2003 presents a unique opportunity for characterization of these compounds and assessment of the methods. The three methods are (1) collection and analysis of bulk samples for time-integrated gas- and particle-phase speciation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; (2) aerosol photoionization for fast detection of PAHs on particles' surfaces; and (3) aerosol mass spectrometry for fast analysis of size and chemical composition. This research represents the first time aerosol mass spectrometry has been used to measure ambient PAH concentrations and the first time that fast, real-time methods have been used to quantify PAHs alongside traditional filter-based measurements in an extended field campaign. Speciated PAH measurements suggest that motor vehicles and garbage and wood burning are important sources in Mexico City. The diurnal concentration patterns captured by aerosol photoionization and aerosol mass spectrometry are generally consistent. Ambient concentrations typically peak at ~110 ng m−3 during the morning rush hour and rapidly decay due to changes in source activity patterns and dilution as the boundary layer rises, although surface-bound PAH concentrations decay faster. The more rapid decrease in surface versus bulk PAH concentrations during the late morning suggests that freshly emitted combustion-related particles are quickly coated by secondary aerosol material in Mexico City's atmosphere and may also be transformed by heterogeneous reactions.

scholarly journals Sources and transformations of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexico City

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1733-1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Marr ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
J. L. Jimenez ◽  
F. Reisen ◽  
H. L. Bethel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Particle Phase ◽  
Field Campaign ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Understanding sources, concentrations, and transformations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere is important because of their potent mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The measurement of particle-bound PAHs by three different methods during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field campaign in April 2003 presents a unique opportunity for characterization of these compounds and intercomparison of the methods. The three methods are (1) collection and analysis of bulk samples for time-integrated gas- and particle-phase speciation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; (2) aerosol photoionization for fast detection of PAHs on particles' surfaces; and (3) aerosol mass spectrometry for fast analysis of size and chemical composition. This research represents the first time aerosol mass spectrometry has been used to measure ambient PAH concentrations and the first time that fast, real-time methods have been used to quantify PAHs alongside traditional filter-based measurements in an extended field campaign. Speciated PAH measurements suggest that motor vehicles and garbage and wood burning are important sources in Mexico City. The diurnal concentration patterns captured by aerosol photoionization and aerosol mass spectrometry are generally consistent. Ambient concentrations of particle-phase PAHs typically peak at ~110 ng m-3 during the morning rush hour and rapidly decay due to changes in source activity patterns and dilution as the boundary layer rises, although surface-bound PAH concentrations decay faster. The more rapid decrease in surface versus bulk PAH concentrations during the late morning suggests that freshly emitted combustion-related particles are quickly coated by secondary aerosol material in Mexico City's atmosphere and may also be transformed by heterogeneous reactions.

scholarly journals Non-Target Screening of Organic Pollutants and Target Analysis of Halogenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere Around Metallurgical Plants by High-Resolution GC/Q-TOF

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Yang ◽  
Jiajia Wu ◽  
Minghui Zheng ◽  
Zhe Cao ◽  
Cui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
High Toxicity ◽  
Target Analysis ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Industrial Sources ◽  
Target Screening

Abstract Background: The 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) issued by US Environmental protection agency are a major focus of efforts in atmosphere. Besides, much more PAH congeners or their substitutes are also produced during combustion or thermal industrial processes and released into the atmosphere. However, a full screening of various organic pollutants in air surrounding important industrial sources have not been conducted. Identifying and characterizing organic pollutants in air is essential to accurate risk assessment. This study conducted non-target screening of organic pollutants and simultaneous target analysis of emerging contaminants including 8 polychlorinated naphthalenes and 30 higher cyclic halogenated PAHs by high-resolution gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (GC/Q-TOF) mass spectrometry and applied to the air samples collected surrounding metallurgical plants. Emerging chemicals of high toxicity in air were identified.Results: We identified and characterized 187 organic chemicals categorized as PAHs, alkylated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), heterocyclic PACs, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in atmosphere around industrial sources. Some of these identified chemicals, such as phthalic acid esters, dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, and hydroquinone with alkane substituents are of potential high toxicities and have not been the focus of previous studies of airborne contaminants. Moreover, hydroquinone with alkane substituents may be critical intermediates and precursors of an emerging contaminant- environmentally persistent free radicals. Thus, the presences of those identified highly toxic chemicals in the air merits attention. Moreover, 38 chlorinated and brominated PAHs as target compounds were accurately quantitated by using isotopic dilution method by application of GC/Q-TOF, and the findings were similar to those of high-resolution magnetic mass spectrometry.Conclusion: In this study, both non-target screening of organic pollutants and target analysis of halogenated PAHs in air were achieved by GC/Q-TOF. The method could be irradiative for simultaneous analysis of those trace pollutants containing multiple congeners in future studies. Specific pollutants of potential high toxicity in atmosphere around industrial sources were identified. Those knowledge could be helpful for comprehensively recognizing the organic contaminants in air surrounding metallurgical plants and better understanding their potential health risks.

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