Subsurface detection of fossil fuel pollutants by photoionization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
This paper describes analysis of environmental pollutants at depth without bringing sample to the surface. It is based on an improved 3-stage Peltier freeze trap, which efficiently pre-concentrates volatile coal tar and petroleum hydrocarbons, and an integrated system for detecting pollutants on-line, in real-time by photoionization detection and quantitation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as the probe is advanced into the subsurface. Findings indicate measurement precision and accuracy for volatiles meet EPA criteria for hazardous waste site investigations. When a Teflon membrane inlet is used to detect contaminants in groundwater, its 140 degrees C temperature limit restricts analyte collection in soil to C(2)-phenanthrenes. Two case studies demonstrate the probe is well-suited to tracking petroleum and coal tar plumes from source to groundwater.
Robbat
Albert
A
Department of Chemistry, Center for Field Analytical Studies & Technology, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA 02139, USA. albert.robbat@tufts.edu
Considine
Thomas
T
Antle
Patrick M
PM
D003033:Coal Tar / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005579:Fossil Fuels / Q000032:analysis*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D007700:Kinetics; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D005579:Fossil Fuels; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants; D003033:Coal Tar