Detection of Fourth Generation Synthetic Halocarbons in the Upper Troposphere

Author(s):  
Tanja Schuck ◽  
Katharina Meixner ◽  
Peter van Velthoven ◽  
Simon O’Doherty ◽  
Martin Vollmer ◽  
...  

<p>Synthetic halocarbons are used for a wide range of applications, for example air conditioning or foam blowing. Many of them are long-lived greenhouse gases contributing to climate change and, in addition, may contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion if containing chlorine or bromine. Therefore, their production and use are regulated by the Montreal Protocol and its amendments. These long-lived halocarbons are increasingly replaced by a fourth generation of unsaturated short-lived halocarbons, the hydrochlorofluoroolefines (HCFOs) and hydrofluoroolefines (HFOs). The main removal process of these compounds in the atmosphere is reaction with OH radicals, and their average lifetimes are of the order of up to a few tens of days.</p><p>As part of the IAGOS-CARIBIC instrument package we operate an automated air sample collection system during regular flights in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere. At altitudes around 10-12 km, samples are collected in stainless steel and glass flasks at predefined times. Post-flight laboratory analyses include gas chromatography - mass spectrometry measurements of a wide range of halocarbons. The short-lived compounds HFO-1234ze(E) and HCFO-1233zd(E) were detected in a small number of samples, indicating that these compounds are sufficiently long lived for transport into the upper troposphere. There were not found in stratospheric samples.</p><p>At this altitude, low abundance of OH and low temperatures may slow down chemical decay, and tracer lifetimes may increase significantly. Based on average temperatures and OH abundance, we estimate local lifetimes of HFO-1234ze(E) and HCFO-1233zd(E)  in the mid-latitudes of up to 75 days and 200 days, respectively. Short-lived H(C)FOs reaching the upper troposphere could thus be transported over large distances and their degradation products may be deposited  far from their emission sources.</p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
Moussa Dicko ◽  
Roselyne Ferrari ◽  
Narumon Tangthirasunun ◽  
Valérie Gautier ◽  
Christophe Lalanne ◽  
...  

The filamentous fungus Podospora anserina is a good model to study the breakdown of lignocellulose, owing to its ease of culture and genetical analysis. Here, we show that the fungus is able to use a wide range of lignocellulosic materials as food sources. Using color assays, spectroscopy and pyrolysis–gas chromatography mass spectrometry, we confirm that this ascomycete is able to degrade lignin, primarily by hydrolyzing β–O-4 linkages, which facilitates its nutrient uptake. We show that the limited weight loss that is promoted when attacking Miscanthus giganteus is due to a developmental blockage rather than an inefficiency of its enzymes. Finally, we show that lignin, and, more generally, phenolics, including degradation products of lignin, greatly stimulate the growth and fertility of the fungus in liquid cultures. Analyses of the CATΔΔΔΔΔ mutant lacking all its catalases, pro-oxidants and antioxidants indicate that improved growth and fertility of the fungus is likely caused by augmented reactive oxygen species levels triggered by the presence of phenolics.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1001 ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Marián Šudý ◽  
Karol Balog ◽  
Maroš Soldán

The present study investigates the degradation of atrazine (2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) by ozone and OH radicals during ozonization with the identification of the main degradation products after ozonation. The identification of main degradation products during atrazine degradation process was conducted by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1997
Author(s):  
Greta Biale ◽  
Jacopo La Nasa ◽  
Marco Mattonai ◽  
Andrea Corti ◽  
Virginia Vinciguerra ◽  
...  

Most of the analytical studies focused on microplastics (MPs) are based on the detection and identification of the polymers constituting the particles. On the other hand, plastic debris in the environment undergoes chemical and physical degradation processes leading not only to mechanical but also to molecular fragmentation quickly resulting in the formation of leachable, soluble and/or volatile degradation products that are released in the environment. We performed the analysis of reference MPs–polymer micropowders obtained by grinding a set of five polymer types down to final size in the 857–509 μm range, namely high- and low-density polyethylene, polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The reference MPs were artificially aged in a solar-box to investigate their degradation processes by characterizing the aged (photo-oxidized) MPs and their low molecular weight and/or highly oxidized fraction. For this purpose, the artificially aged MPs were subjected to extraction in polar organic solvents, targeting selective recovery of the low molecular weight fractions generated during the artificial aging. Analysis of the extractable fractions and of the residues was carried out by a multi-technique approach combining evolved gas analysis–mass spectrometry (EGA–MS), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The results provided information on the degradation products formed during accelerated aging. Up to 18 wt% of extractable, low molecular weight fraction was recovered from the photo-aged MPs, depending on the polymer type. The photo-degradation products of polyolefins (PE and PP) included a wide range of long chain alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and hydroxy acids, as detected in the soluble fractions of aged samples. SEC analyses also showed a marked decrease in the average molecular weight of PP polymer chains, whereas cross-linking was observed in the case of PS. The most abundant low molecular weight photo-degradation products of PS were benzoic acid and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, while PET had the highest stability towards aging, as indicated by the modest generation of low molecular weight species.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 3561
Author(s):  
Xia Meng ◽  
Zhongming Liu ◽  
Shoujuan Wang ◽  
Fangong Kong

In this study, an ultrasound Fenton-like sponge iron system was used to enhance the degradation efficiency for chloramphenicol (CAP). Three single-factor experiments of reaction pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, and sponge iron (Fe) concentration were used to explore the impact on CAP degradation efficiency. The response surface method revealed the interactions between various factors. The degradation efficiency for CAP was as high as 99.97% at pH = 3, 3.19 mmol/L H2O2, and a sponge iron concentration of 2.26 g/L. The degradation rate for CAP was significantly reduced upon the addition of some inorganic salts, mainly due to the quenching of OH radicals. Gram-negative (G(−)) Escherichia coli and Gram-positive (G(+)) Staphylococcus aureus were used to evaluate the changes in the antibacterial activity of CAP. Finally, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the degradation products and the degradation path for the products was proposed based on the detected products.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 1460344
Author(s):  
M. Vesali-Naseh ◽  
S. Xu ◽  
L. Xu ◽  
A. Khodadadi ◽  
Y. Mortazavi ◽  
...  

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma was used to oxidize trichloroethylene (TCE) in 21% of O 2 in carriers of N 2 and He . The degradation products of TCE were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. TCE was decomposed completely at optimum energy density of 260 and 300 J/l for He and N 2, respectively and its conversion followed zero order reaction. The TCE removal efficiency is decreased in humid air due to interception of reactive intermediates by OH radicals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 11929-11941 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Oram ◽  
Matthew J. Ashfold ◽  
Johannes C. Laube ◽  
Lauren J. Gooch ◽  
Stephen Humphrey ◽  
...  

Abstract. Large and effective reductions in emissions of long-lived ozone-depleting substance (ODS) are being achieved through the Montreal Protocol, the effectiveness of which can be seen in the declining atmospheric abundances of many ODSs. An important remaining uncertainty concerns the role of very short-lived substances (VSLSs) which, owing to their relatively short atmospheric lifetimes (less than 6 months), are not regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Recent studies have found an unexplained increase in the global tropospheric abundance of one VSLS, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), which has increased by around 60 % over the past decade. Here we report dramatic enhancements of several chlorine-containing VSLSs (Cl-VSLSs), including CH2Cl2 and CH2ClCH2Cl (1,2-dichloroethane), observed in surface and upper-tropospheric air in East and South East Asia. Surface observations were, on occasion, an order of magnitude higher than previously reported in the marine boundary layer, whilst upper-tropospheric data were up to 3 times higher than expected. In addition, we provide further evidence of an atmospheric transport mechanism whereby substantial amounts of industrial pollution from East Asia, including these chlorinated VSLSs, can rapidly, and regularly, be transported to tropical regions of the western Pacific and subsequently uplifted to the tropical upper troposphere. This latter region is a major provider of air entering the stratosphere, and so this mechanism, in conjunction with increasing emissions of Cl-VSLSs from East Asia, could potentially slow the expected recovery of stratospheric ozone.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Oram ◽  
Matthew J. Ashfold ◽  
Johannes C. Laube ◽  
Lauren J. Gooch ◽  
Stephen Humphrey ◽  
...  

Abstract. Large and effective reductions in emissions of long-lived ozone-depleting substance (ODS) are being achieved through the Montreal Protocol, the effectiveness of which can be seen in the declining atmospheric abundances of many ODS. An important remaining uncertainty concerns the role of very short lived substances (VSLS) which, owing to their relatively short atmospheric lifetimes (less than 6 months), are not regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Recent studies have found an unexplained increase in the global tropospheric abundance of one VSLS, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), which has increased by around 60 % over the past decade. Here we report dramatic enhancements of several chlorine-containing VSLS, including CH2Cl2 and CH2ClCH2Cl (1,2-dichloroethane), observed in surface and upper tropospheric air in East and South East Asia. Surface observations were an order of magnitude higher than previously reported in the marine boundary layer, whilst upper tropospheric data were up to 3 times higher than expected. In addition we provide further evidence of an atmospheric transport mechanism whereby substantial amounts of industrial pollution from East Asia, including these chlorinated VSLS, can rapidly, and regularly, be transported to tropical regions of the western Pacific and subsequently uplifted to the tropical upper troposphere. This latter region is a major provider for air entering the stratosphere and so this mechanism, in conjunction with increasing emissions of Cl-VSLS from East Asia, could potentially slow the expected recovery of stratospheric ozone.


2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis I. Onuska ◽  
Ken A. Terry ◽  
R. James Maguire

Abstract The analysis of aromatic amines, particularly benzidines, at trace levels in environmental media has been difficult because of the lack of suitable deactivated capillary column stationary phases for gas chromatography. This report describes the use of an improved type of column as well as a method for the analysis of anilines and benzidines in water, wastewater and sewage samples. Extraction procedures are applicable to a wide range of compounds that are effectively partitioned from an aqueous matrix into methylene chloride, or onto a solid-phase extraction cartridge. The extracted analytes are also amenable to separation on a capillary gas chromatographic column and transferable to the mass spectrometer. These contaminants are converted to their N-trifluoroacetyl derivatives. Aniline and some substituted anilines, and 3,3’-dichlorobenzidine and benzidine were determined in 24-h composite industrial water, wastewater, primary sludge and final effluent samples at concentrations from 0.03 up to 2760 µg/L.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-279
Author(s):  
Shweta G. Rangari ◽  
Nishikant A. Raut ◽  
Pradip W. Dhore

Background:The unstable and/or toxic degradation products may form due to degradation of drug which results into loss of therapeutic activity and lead to life threatening condition. Hence, it is important to establish the stability characteristics of drug in various conditions such as in temperature, light, oxidising agent and susceptibility across a wide range of pH values.Introduction:The aim of the proposed study was to develop simple, sensitive and economic stability indicating high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the quantification of Amoxapine in the presence of degradation products.Methods:Amoxapine and its degraded products were separated on precoated silica gel 60F254 TLC plates by using mobile phase comprising of methanol: toluene: ammonium acetate (6:3:1, v/v/v). The densitometric evaluation was carried out at 320 nm in reflectance/absorbance mode. The degradation products obtained as per ICH guidelines under acidic, basic and oxidative conditions have different Rf values 0.12, 0.26 and 0.6 indicating good resolution from each other and pure drug with Rf: 0.47. Amoxapine was found to be stable under neutral, thermal and photo conditions.Results:The method was validated as per ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines in terms of accuracy, precision, ruggedness, robustness and linearity. A good linear relationship between concentration and response (peak area and peak height) over the range of 80 ng/spot to 720 ng/spot was observed from regression analysis data showing correlation coefficient 0.991 and 0.994 for area and height, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for area were found to be 1.176 ng/mL and 3.565 ng/mL, whereas for height, 50.063 ng/mL and 151.707 ng/mL respectively.Conclusion:The statistical analysis confirmed the accuracy, precision and selectivity of the proposed method which can be effectively used for the analysis of amoxapine in the presence of degradation products.


Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Kamila Šrédlová ◽  
Kateřina Šírová ◽  
Tatiana Stella ◽  
Tomáš Cajthaml

Metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)—hydroxylated PCBs (OH‑PCBs), chlorobenzyl alcohols (CB‑OHs), and chlorobenzaldehydes (CB‑CHOs)—were incubated in vitro with the extracellular liquid of Pleurotus ostreatus, which contains mainly laccase and low manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) activity. The enzymes were able to decrease the amount of most of the tested OH‑PCBs by > 80% within 1 h; the removal of more recalcitrant OH‑PCBs was greatly enhanced by the addition of the laccase mediator syringaldehyde. Conversely, glutathione substantially hindered the reaction, suggesting that it acted as a laccase inhibitor. Hydroxylated dibenzofuran and chlorobenzoic acid were identified as transformation products of OH‑PCBs. The extracellular enzymes also oxidized the CB‑OHs to the corresponding CB‑CHOs on the order of hours to days; however, the mediated and nonmediated setups exhibited only slight differences, and the participating enzymes could not be determined. When CB‑CHOs were used as the substrates, only partial transformation was observed. In an additional experiment, the extracellular liquid of Irpex lacteus, which contains predominantly MnP, was able to efficiently transform CB‑CHOs with the aid of glutathione; mono‑ and di-chloroacetophenones were detected as transformation products. These results demonstrate that extracellular enzymes of ligninolytic fungi can act on a wide range of PCB metabolites, emphasizing their potential for bioremediation.


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