Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron-ionization or resonance-enhanced-multi-photon-ionization for characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Baltic Sea.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), as a part of dissolved organic matter (DOM), are environmental pollutants of the marine compartment. This study investigates the origin of PAH, which is supposed to derive mainly from anthropogenic activities, and their alteration along the salinity gradient of the Baltic Sea. Pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography and two mass selective detectors in one measurement cycle are utilized as a tool for an efficient trace analysis of such complex samples, by which it is possible to detect degradation products of high molecular structures. Along the north-south transect of the Baltic Sea a slightly rising trend for PAH is visible. Their concentration profiles correspond to the ship traffic as a known anthropogenic source, underlined by the value of special isomer ratios such as phenanthrene and anthracene (0.31-0.45) or pyrene and fluoranthene (0.44-0.53). The detection of naphthalene and the distribution of its alkylated representatives support this statement.
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Stefan
S
Otto
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany; Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center of Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany. Electronic address: thorsten.streibel@uni-rostock.de.
Thorsten
T
Streibel
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Sabrina
S
Erdmann
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Sophie
S
Klingbeil
Marine Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Seestrasse 15, 18119 Warnemünde, Rostock, Germany.
Detlef
D
Schulz-Bull
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany; Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center of Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
Ralf
R
Zimmermann
D000873:Anthracenes / Q000032:analysis; D001454:Baltic States; D004583:Electrons; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000032:analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D000873:Anthracenes; D005449:Fluorenes; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011721:Pyrenes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C007738:fluoranthene; C031181:phenanthrene; C030984:pyrene; C034020:anthracene
Baltic Sea; Dissolved organic matter; Mass spectrometry; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Pyrolysis; Resonance-enhanced-multi-photon-ionization