Analysis of fullerenes in soils samples collected in The Netherlands.
Fullerenes are carbon based nanoparticles that may enter the environment as a consequence of both natural processes and human activities. Although little is known about the presence of these chemicals in the environment, recent studies suggested that soil may act as a sink. The aim of the present work was to investigate the presence of fullerenes in soils collected in The Netherlands. Samples (n = 91) were taken from 6 locations and analyzed using a new developed LC-QTOF-MS method. The locations included highly trafficked and industrialized as well as urban and natural areas. In general, C60was the most abundant fullerene found in the environment, detected in almost a half of the samples and at concentrations in the range of ng/kg. Other fullerenes such as C70and an unknown structure containing a C60cage were detected to a lower extent. The highest concentrations were found in the proximity of combustion sites such as a coal power plant and an incinerator, suggesting that the nanoparticles were unintentionally produced during combustions processes and reached the soil through atmospheric deposition. Consistent with other recent studies, these results show that fullerenes are widely present in the environment and that the main route for their entrance may be due to human activities. These data will be helpful in the understanding of the distribution of fullerenes in the environment and for the study of their behavior and fate in soil.
University of Amsterdam - IBED, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.carboni@uva.nl.
Andrea
A
Carboni
University of Amsterdam - IBED, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Rick
R
Helmus
KWR, Watercycle Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Erik
E
Emke
Wageningen University, Division of Toxicology, P.O. Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Nico
N
van den Brink
University of Amsterdam - IBED, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
John R
JR
Parsons
Dresden University of Technology, Soil Resources and Land Use, Pienner Str. 19, 01737, Tharandt, Germany.
Karsten
K
Kalbitz
University of Amsterdam - IBED, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; KWR, Watercycle Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Pim
P
de Voogt
D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009426:Netherlands; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*
D037741:Fullerenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants
Fullerenes; Monitoring; Soil; Terrestrial environment; Transformation products