Simultaneous determination of methyl tert-butyl ether, its degradation products and other gasoline additives in soil samples by closed-system purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new protocol for the simultaneous determination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); its main degradation products: tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and tert-butyl formate (TBF); other gasoline additives, oxygenate dialkyl ethers: ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) and diisopropyl ether (DIPE); aromatics: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and other compounds causing odour events such as dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and trichloroethylene (TCE) in soils has been developed. On the basis of US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 5035A, a fully automated closed-system purge-and-trap coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (P&T-GC/MS) was optimised and permitted to detect microg/kg concentrations in solid matrices avoiding losses of volatile compounds during operation processes. Parameters optimised were the sampling procedure, sample preservation and storage, purging temperature, matrix effects and quantification mode. Using 5 g of sample, detection limits were between 0.02 and 1.63 microg/kg and acceptable method precision and accuracy was obtained provided quantification was performed using adequate internal standards. Soil samples should be analysed as soon as possible after collection, stored under -15 degrees C for not longer than 7 days if degradation products have to be analysed. The non-preservative alternative (empty vial) provided good recoveries of the most analytes when freezing the samples up to 7 day holding time, however, if biologically active soil are analysed the preservation with trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate (Na(3)PO(4).12H(2)O or TSP) is strongly recommended more than sodium bisulphate (NaHSO(4)). The method was finally applied to provide threshold and background levels of several gasoline additives in a point source and in sites not influenced by gasoline spills. The proposed method provides the directions for the future application on real samples in current monitoring programs at gasoline pollution risk sites where till now little monitoring data for MTBE in soils are available.     

Determination of low level methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether and methyl tert-amyl ether in human urine by HS-SPME gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) are oxygenated compounds added to gasoline to enhance octane rating and to improve combustion. They may be found as pollutants of living and working environments. In this work a robotized method for the quantification of low level MTBE, ETBE and TAME in human urine was developed and validated. The analytes were sampled in the headspace of urine by SPME in the presence of MTBE-d12 as internal standard. Different fibers were compared for their linearity and extraction efficiency: carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene, and polydimethylsiloxane. The first, although highly efficient, was discarded due to deviation of linearity for competitive displacement, and the polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene fiber was chosen instead. The analysis was performed by GC/MS operating in the electron impact mode. The method is very specific, with range of linearity 30-4600 ng L⁻¹, within- and between-run precision, as coefficient of variation, <22 and <16%, accuracy within 20% the theoretical level, and limit of detection of 6 ng L⁻¹ for all the analytes. The influence of the matrix on the quantification of these ethers was evaluated analysing the specimens of seven traffic policemen exposed to autovehicular emissions: using the calibration curve and the method of standard additions comparable levels of MTBE (68-528 ng L⁻¹), ETBE (<6 ng L⁻¹), and TAME (<6 ng L⁻¹) were obtained.     

Method for determination of methyl tert-butyl ether in gasoline by gas chromatography

A simple method for the determination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline has been developed. The separation of MTBE from other analytes was controlled by the use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the full scan mode using the characteristic primary, secondary and tertiary ions m/z 73, 57 and 43. The sample mass spectrum did not show any superimposition of other analytes. The separation from the common gasoline component 2-methylpentane was sufficient for reliable quantitation. An application of the developed conditions using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was performed by the analysis of regular, euro super, super premium unleaded and ‘Optimax’ gasoline from petrol stations in the area of Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Regular unleaded gasoline shows an average MTBE content of 0.4% (w/w), whereas the MTBE content in euro super gasoline varies between 0.4 and 4.2% (w/w). The blending of MTBE to super premium has increased from 8.2% (w/w) in 1998 to 9.8% (w/w) on average in 1999. The recently introduced gasoline ‘Optimax’ shows an average MTBE content of 11.9% (w/w). The presented method might also be used for the analysis of other ethers, such as ethyl tert-butyl ether, which requires the use of another internal standard.     

Dual capillary gas chromatographic analysis of alcohols and methyl tert-butyl ether in gasolines

A gas chromatographic method has been developed for the identification and direct determination of alcohols and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in gasolines. The technique involves simultaneous injection of the gasoline without any sample preparation onto two fused silica capillary columns of differing polarities. The method permits simultaneous determinations of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, tert-butanol, 1-propanol, sec-butanol, 1-butanol, and MTBE. By using an automatic sampler in combination with electronic pressure programming and BASIC programming, the determinations were performed automatically and reproducibly with a relatively short analysis time.     

Thermodynamic investigations of methyl tert-butyl ether and water mixtures

Interactions between methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and water have been investigated by scanning calorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry, densitometry, IR-spectroscopy, and gas chromatography. The solubilization of MTBE in water at 25 °C at infinite dilution has ΔH° = -17.0 ± 0.6 kJ mol(-1); ΔS° = -80 ± 2 J mol(-1) K(-1); ΔC(p) = +332 ± 15 J mol(-1) K(-1); ΔV° = -18 ± 2 cm(3) mol(-1). The signs of these thermodynamic functions are consistent with hydrophobic interactions. The occurrence of hydrophobic interaction is further substantiated as IR absorption spectra of MTBE-water mixtures show that MTBE strengthens the hydrogen bond network of water. Solubilization of MTBE in water is exothermic whereas solubilization of water in MTBE is endothermic with ΔH° = +5.3 ± 0.6 kJ mol(-1). The negative mixing volume is explained by a large negative contribution due to size differences between water and MTBE and by a positive contribution due to changes in the water structure around MTBE. Henry's law constants, K(H), were determined from vapor pressure measurements of mixtures equilibrated at different temperatures. A van't Hoff analysis of K(H) gave ΔH(H)° = 50 ± 1 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(H)° = 166 ± 5 J mol(-1) K(-1) for the solution to gas transfer. MTBE is excluded from the ice phase water upon freezing MTBE-water mixtures.     

Continuous on-line determination of methyl tert-butyl ether in water samples using ion mobility spectrometry

A rapid analytical procedure for the on-line determination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water samples was developed. A new membrane extraction unit was used to extract the MTBE from water samples. The concentration of MTBE was determined using ion mobility spectrometry with 63Ni ionization and corona discharge ionization without chromatographic separation. Both ionization methods permit the sensitive determination of MTBE. A detection limit of 100 microg/L was established for the on-line procedure. Neither the inorganic compounds, humic substances nor gasoline were found to exert a significant influence on the peak intensity of the MTBE. The screening procedure can be used for concentrations of monoaromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene) up to 600 microg/L. No sample preparation is required and the analysis results are available within 5 min. In order to determine concentrations between 10 microg/L and 100 microg/L, a discontinuous procedure was developed on the basis of the same experimental set-up.     

Analysis of selected pesticides and alkylphenols in human cord blood by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer

A total of seven pesticides and eight alkylphenols were monitored using this method for the determination of their trace levels in human cord blood. The pesticides are lindane, diazinon, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, chlorpyrifos and endrin; while the alkylphenols are 4-n-butylphenol, 4-n-pentylphenol, 4-n-hexylphenol, 4-t-octylphenol, 4-n-heptylphenol, nonylphenol, 4-n-octylphenol and bisphenol A. The pesticides and alkylphenols in the cord blood samples were extracted with solid phase extraction IST C18 cartridges and analyzed by selected ion monitoring mode using quadrapole detector in Shimadzu QP-5000 gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Trace levels of pesticide and alkylphenols in the range of non-detectable to 15.17 ng ml⁻¹, were detected in the human cord blood samples. This technique of monitoring the levels of endocrine-disruptors in blood samples is consistent, reliable and cost effective while reducing wastage of time and solvents.     

Determination of methyl tert.-butyl ether and tert.-butyl alcohol in seawater samples using purge-and-trap enrichment coupled to gas chromatography with atomic emission and mass spectrometric detection

A rapid and simple analytical method has been established for the determination of methyl tert.-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert.-butyl alcohol (TBA), in seawater. The method involves purge-and-trap enrichment followed by gas chromatographic (GC) determination. Two different detection systems have been compared: atomic emission detection (AED) and MS (selected ion monitoring mode). Validation parameters and possible matrix effects have been evaluated. The linearity and analytical precision was good with both methods, but limits of detection reached by AED (10 microg l(-1)) were not low enough to evaluate current environmental concentrations. GC-MS detection presented much better sensitivity [limits of detection (LODs) of 0.04 microg l(-1) for MTBE and 0.09 microg l(-1) for TBA] and selectivity, providing a more reliable determination. The analysis of samples collected from various marinas in the south of Spain (Almería and Málaga) showed, in all cases, detectable concentrations of MTBE that ranged from below LOD to 1842 microg l(-1), depending on the sampling point and time. TBA was also detected in some cases, with concentration levels that ranged from 400 to 600 microg l(-1). These preliminary results should be followed by monitoring programs in coastal waters, in order to establish real levels of presence of MTBE in our coasts and its possible effect on the marine environment.     

Excess enthalpies of ternary mixture consisting of tert-butyl methyl ether, ethanol and heptane

Excess molar enthalpies, measured at 298.15 K in a Calvet microcalorimeter, are reported for {x ₁ tert-butyl methyl ether (MTBE)+x ₂ethanol (EtOH)+(1?x ₁?x ₂)heptane}. Smooth representations of the results are presented and used to construct contant excess molar enthalpy contours on Roozeboom diagrams.     

用台式色谱-质谱仪同时进行原油芳烃色谱和色谱-质谱分析

 摘要：用HP6890GC/5973MSD仪器,一次进样同时测定原油、烃源岩抽提物中芳烃馏分的芳烃色谱和色谱-质谱信息,效果良好,在有机地球化学研究工作中很有实用价值,方法具有高效、经济等优点。     

Pulse radiolysis study of reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals originating from methyl tert-butyl ether in the gas phase

UV spectra and kinetics for the reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) were studied in 1 atm of SF₆ by the pulse radiolysis-UV absorption technique. UV spectra for the radical mixtures were quantified from 215 to 340 nm. At 240 nm. σ_R = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ and σ_RO2 = (4.1 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ (base e). The rate constant for the self-reaction of the alkyl radicals is (2.5 ± 1.1) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The rate constants for reaction of the alkyl radicals with molecular oxygen and the alkylperoxy radicals with NO and NO₂ are (9.1 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹³, (4.3 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² and (1.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The rate constants given above refer to reaction at the tert-butyl side of the molecule.     

Fast detection of methyl tert-butyl ether from water using solid phase microextraction and ion mobility spectrometry

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is commonly used as chemical additive to increase oxygen content and octane rating of reformulated gasoline. Despite its impact on enhancing cleaner combustion of gasoline, MTBE poses a threat to surface and ground water when gasoline is released into the environment. Methods for onsite analysis of MTBE in water samples are also needed. A less common technique for MTBE detection from water is ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). We describe a method for fast sampling and screening of MTBE from water by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and IMS. MTBE is adsorbed from the head space of a sample to the coating of SPME fiber. The interface containing a heated sample chamber, which couples SPME and IMS, was constructed and the SPME fiber was introduced into the sample chamber for thermal desorption and IMS detection of MTBE vapors. The demonstrated SPME-IMS method proved to be a straightforward method for the detection of trace quantities of MTBE from waters including surface and ground water. We determined the relative standard deviation of 8.3% and detection limit of 5 mg L⁻¹ for MTBE. Because of short sampling, desorption, and detection times, the described configuration of combined SPME and IMS is a feasible method for the detection of hazardous substances from environmental matrices.     

Excess enthalpies of mixtures containing n-heptane,methanol and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)

Molar excess enthalpies H ^E have been measured for the binary mixtures MTBE+methanol, MTBE+n-heptane and methanol+n-heptane using a quasi-isothermal flow calorimeter. The measurements have been performed at atmospheric pressure and at 25 and 40°C for all the mixtures and for MTBE+methanol also at 50°C. The experimental results for MTBE methanol and MTBE+n-heptane are compared with those calculated using the NRTL equation.Communicated at the Festsymposium celebrating Dr. Henry V. Kehiaian's 60^th birthday, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 17–18 May 1990     

Determination of trihalomethanes in chlorinated sea water samples using a purge-and-trap system coupled to gas chromatography

In power stations, the cooling effluents are chlorinated to avoid excessive biofouling. Yet, this disinfecting treatment leads to the formation of halogenated by-products, mainly trihalomethanes. So, there is a need for precise and accurate methods that allow trace levels determination of these compounds. A system that combines purge-and-trap and gas chromatography (with an electron capture detector) was used in this study. After careful choice of the experimental conditions, the performance of the system were evaluated. Precise and accurate determinations were obtained, allowing the determination of trihalomethanes in sea water samples chlorinated on site in three French coastal power stations. Bromoform was the predominant component formed, while traces of dibromochloromethane, chloroform and bromodichloromethane were also detected.     

Investigation of the identification point system adaptation in cocaine,benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester using a single quadrupole mass spectrometer

At present, no official criteria exist for drug identification using single quadrupole mass spectrometers although the European Union (EU) criteria for compound identification have been adopted. These criteria are evaluated with respect to the confirmation of cocaine and its metabolites by single quadrupole liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and problems are highlighted. Spiked samples, proficiency testing samples, certified reference materials and samples from real cases that had screened positive for cocaine derivatives by immunoassay were subjected to confirmation by LC/MS using single ion monitoring with in‐source fragmentation. The EU criteria for compound identification were applied for the confirmation of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester. The use of the identification point (IP) system in spiked, proficiency testing samples and certified reference materials provided acceptable results in all cases while in some cases real positive samples did not provide acceptable results. Failure to meet the EU criteria was attributed to low fragmentation at the lower concentrations and the ion suppression effect while both factors affected compliance with the IP system. The identification of cocaine and its metabolites was considerably improved by using a combination of ammonium formate and formic acid as the LC mobile phase. It appears that poor in‐source fragmentation in single quadrupole LC/MS and ion suppression may constitute a problem with drug identification when implementing the IP system in real samples, resulting in false negative results. Further investigation is needed for the use of such IP systems to be suitable for use in LC/MS methods. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Separation and determination of methyl tert-butyl ether and its degradation products by a laboratory-constructed micro-cryogenic chromatographic oven.

A laboratory-made micro-cryogenic chromatographic oven was mainly improved in size, which was controlled at 6 x 6 x 2.5 cm. A thermoelectric system was used to cool the capillary column instead of the traditional liquid cryogen. A cold block connected to the cryogenic module was directly solidified at room temperature with thermally conductive adhesive so that the uniformity of transferring heat was greatly improved, and the size of the system was reduced. Moreover, this system was inexpensive and convenient for both operation and control. The newly developed device coupled with headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was successfully applied to the determination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and its degradation products. During the analysis procedure, a 65 microm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber was used to extract MTBE and its degradation products. The extraction was controlled at 50 degrees C for 30 min and the NaCl content in the sample was maintained at 35%. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.006 microg mL(-1) (for MTBE) to 0.206 microg mL(-1) (for methyl acetate) and the relative standard deviations (RSD%) were below 4%. The spiked recoveries for the developed method were evaluated using various water samples as a matrix.