Use of compound-specific delta13C and deltaD stable isotope measurements as an aid in the source apportionment of polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
The potential of using compound-specific stable carbon isotopic analysis for the source apportionment of environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has already been demonstrated by the authors, and other researchers. PAHs arising from wood burning and vehicle emissions have been shown to exhibit different isotopic signatures, and the isotopic compositions of n-alkanes and PAHs produced from combustion of C3 and C4 plant species have been reported. 13C/12C isotopic ratios for PAHs derived from coal and wood pyrolysis and from diesel particulates have been noted to vary over a range by ca. 8 per thousand, which may provide a basis for source apportionment. In order to further improve the ability of stable isotope measurements to source apportion environmental PAHs, hydrogen stable isotopes (deltaD) of PAHs from a number of processes have been measured. The wide range of deltaD values, in conjunction with the delta13C values obtained, provide a much greater degree of differentiation between petrol and jet fuel derived PAHs, and between PAHs from different coal conversion processes, than the delta13C values alone.
Sun
Chenggong
C
Nottingham Fuel and Energy Centre, School of Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering (SChEME), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Cooper
Mick
M
Snape
Colin E
CE