Real-time method for the identification and quantification of hydrocarbon pyrolysis products: Part I. Development and validation of the infra red technique

Due to large heat load encountered in high speed flight (over Mach 5), the regenerative cooling of the engine leads to the study of the endothermic pyrolysis of the onboard hydrocarbon fuel, which acts as a coolant. However the control and regulation of such a technology implies to have a correct knowledge of the endothermic pyrolysis of the onboard hydrocarbon fuel, which motivates the development of a quantitative measuring method adapted to in-flight applications. A Fourier transform infra red spectrometer is used and a specific method has been developed to identify and to quantify the major hydrocarbon products of the pyrolysis. The technique is validated and tested at the outlet of the experimental pyrolysis process which operates under steady-state conditions from 823 K to 1023 K and up to 60 bar. Two mass flow rates (0.05 g s⁻¹ and 0.1 g s⁻¹) are studied with titanium reactor to determine the limits of validity and to improve the method. Several synthetic and jet fuels have been tested (heptane, decane, dodecane and two kerosenes). The quantities of five light hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene) are determined. The method, based on classical least square processing, is validated with respect to gas chromatograph (and mass spectrometer) analysis notably. A minimum molar fraction of 5 mol.% can be obtained and the accuracy is better than 2 mol.%.     

Ligand and substrate effects in gas-phase reactions of NiX(+)/RH couples (X=F, Cl, Br, I; R=CH3, C2H5, nC3H7, nC4H9)

The reactions of small saturated hydrocarbons by gaseous nickel cations NiX+ (X=F, Cl, Br, I) are investigated by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The halide cations are obtained from solutions of the corresponding Ni(II) salts in water or methanol as solvents. NiF+ is the only Ni(II) halide complex that brings about thermal activation of methane. The branching ratios of the observed reactions with C2H6, C3H8, and nC4H10 are shifted systematically by changing the nature of both the ligand X and the substrate RH. In the elimination of HX (X=F, Cl, Br, I), the formal oxidation state of the metal ion appears to be conserved, and the importance of this reaction channel decreases in going from NiF+ to NiI+. A reversed trend is observed in the losses of small closed-shell neutral molecules, that is, H2, CH4 and C2H6, which dominate the gas-phase ion chemistry of NiI+/RH couples. Additionally, inner-sphere electron-transfer reactions take place for a few systems, that is, the delivery of hydride or methanide ions from the hydrocarbon to NiX+ in the course of which the hydrocarbon is converted to a carbenium ion and the cationic metal complex gives rise to a neutral RNiX molecule (R=H, CH3). This process gains importance with decreasing atomic number of the halides and with increasing the size of the alkane. Thus, it constitutes the major pathway in the reactions of NiF+ with propane and n-butane, whereas it is not observed for any of the NiI+/RH couples investigated. Concerning the regioselectivity of the reactions with propane and n-butane, heterolytic cleavage of secondary carbon--hydrogen bonds is clearly preferred compared to that of primary ones, as revealed by deuterium labeling studies. For the NiF+/C3H8 couple, the selectivity of the hydride transfer is as large as 360 in favor of the secondary positions. Though smaller, large preferences for the activation of secondary C--H bonds are also operative in homolytic bond activation of RH (R=nC3H7, nC4H9).     

Quantification of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cigarette smoke condensate using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography with atmospheric‐pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry

A stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cigarette smoke condensate was developed and validated. Compared with previously reported methods, this method has lower limits of detection (0.04–1.35 ng/cig). Additionally, the proposed method saves time, reduces the number of separation steps, and reduces the quantity of solvent needed. The new method was applied to evaluate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content in 213 commercially available cigarettes in China, under the International Standardization Organization smoking regime and the Health Canadian intense smoking regime. The results showed that the total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content was more than two times higher in samples from the Health Canadian intense smoking regime than in samples from the International Standardization Organization smoking regime (1189.23 versus 2859.50 ng/cig, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the concentration of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) increased with labeled tar content in both of the tested smoking regimes. There was a positive correlation between total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under the International Standardization Organization smoking regime with that under the Health Canadian intense smoking regime. The proposed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method is satisfactory for the rapid, sensitive, and accurate quantitative evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content in cigarette smoke condensate, and it can be applied to assess potential health risks from smoking.     

Determination of hydrocarbons in water – interlaboratory method validation before routine monitoring

The clarification of hydrocarbon input into the Baltic sea via rivers is one of the priority issues of the 4th Pollution Load Compilation (PLC-4) within the framework of international Baltic Sea marine monitoring. An interlaboratory comparison was conducted to check the applicability of a new method for the determination of hydrocarbons by solvent extraction and gas chromatography. Surrogate oil solutions with known hydrocarbon content were distributed among the participants for preparation of water samples of different hydrocarbon concentration. In using these concentrations as assigned values and by setting target values for precision, the proficiency of participating laboratories could be tested as a qualifying step before involvement in PLC-4 routine monitoring. The results of the exercise indicate that hydrocarbons in water samples can be monitored as a mandatory test item within the framework of PLC-4. Received: 31 October 2000 Accepted: 3 January 2001     

Comparison of supercritical fluid and Soxhlet extractions for the quantification of hydrocarbons from Euphorbia macroclada

This study compares conventional Soxhlet extraction and analytical scale supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for their yields in extracting of hydrocarbons from arid-land plant Euphorbia macroclada. The plant material was firstly sequentially extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, modified with 10% methanol (v/v) in the optimum conditions that is a pressure of 400 atm and a temperature of 50 °C and then it was sonicated in methylene chloride for an additional 4 h. E. macroclada was secondly extracted by using a Soxhlet apparatus at 30 °C for 8 h in methylene chloride. The validated SFE was then compared to the extraction yield of E. macroclada with a Soxhlet extraction by using the Student’s t-test at the 95% confidence level. All of extracts were fractionated with silica-gel in a glass column to get better hydrocarbon yields. Thus, the highest hydrocarbons yield from E. macroclada was achieved with SFE (5.8%) when it compared with Soxhlet extractions (1.1%). Gas chromatography (GC) analysis was performed to determine the quantitative hydrocarbons from plant material. The greatest quantitative hydrocarbon recovery from GC was obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extract (0.6 mg g⁻¹).     

Photoinitiation. II. Kinetics of the acrylonitrile polymerization photoinitiated by aromatic hydrocarbons

The kinetics of acrylonitrile polymerization photoinitiated by aromatic hydrocarbons have been studied. For the acrylonitrile polymerization photoinitiated by naphthalene the rate of polymerization depends on the square root of incident light intensity, on the square root of naphthalene concentration, and on the 1.5 power of acrylonitrile concentration. In the system acrylonitrile-1-methoxynaphthalene the rate of acrylonitrile polymerization depends on the first power of acrylonitrile concentration. The monoradical character of this polymerization process has been established. For the interpretation of experimental results a reaction mechanism involving the formation of the exciplex between the first singlet or triplet of aromatic hydrocarbon and acrylonitrile in the ground state as a precursor of polymerization reactions is suggested. The photoinitiating efficiency of various aromatic hydrocarbons in acrylonitrile polymerization increases in the order: fluoranthene (zero efficiency) ? pyrene < phenanthrene, fluorene ≈ 2-methoxynaphthalene ≈ biphenyl < anthracene < 2-methylnaphthalene < 1-methoxynaphthalene < 2,3,6-trimethylnaphthalene < 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene ≈ naphthalene < 1-methylnaphthalene < 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene < p-terphenyl < acenaphthene, provided that the systems absorb the same amount of the incident light. The explanation of this result ensues from the study of the effect of concentration on the rate of polymerization and from the quenching of hydrocarbon fluorescence by acrylonitrile. The photoinitiating efficiency of a given aromatic hydrocarbon is mainly determined by the value of the rate constant k_q for the formation of exciplex as well as the self-quenching efficiency of aromatic hydrocarbon. By using the literature data for the lifetime of fluorescence τ the values of k_q were calculated from the Stern-Volmer equation expressing the quenching of hydrocarbon fluorescence by acrylonitrile. The order of aromatic hydrocarbons according to increasing values of k_q is as follows: pyrene < phenanthrene < anthracene ≈ naphthalene < 2-methylnaphthalene ≈ 1-methylnaphthalene ≈ 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene < 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene < acenaphthene < p-terphenyl < 1-methoxynaphthalene. The study of the concentration effect reflecting the self-quenching of aromatic hydrocarbons during polymerization has given the following sequence for decreasing self-quenching efficiency of aromatic hydrocarbons: 2-methoxynaphthalene ≈ pyrene > anthracene > 1-methoxynaphthalene > fluorene > 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, acenaphthene > 2,3,6-trimethylnaphthalene > 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene > 1-methylnaphthalene > naphthalene. It has been shown that the photoinitiating efficiency of a given aromatic hydrocarbon in the polymerization of acrylonitrile can be roughly predicted from the position of that aromatic hydrocarbon in the above-mentioned sequences.     

Simultaneous interactions of anions and cations with cyclohexane and adamantane: aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons as charge insulators

With ab initio MP2 computational methods, a theoretical study has been carried out to characterize the interaction between aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons, as models of molecular hydrocarbon monolayers, with cations (Li(+), Na(+), and K(+)), anions (F(-), Cl(-), and Br(-)), and both simultaneously in opposite faces of the hydrocarbons. In addition, the energetic barrier for the cation crossing through the hydrocarbon ring has been calculated. The hydrocarbons chosen for this study are cyclohexane (C(6)H(12)) and adamantane (C(10)H(16)). The energies obtained for the M(+):hydrocarbon:X(-) complexes indicate positive cooperativity in the cases where the hydrocarbon is cyclohexane while diminutive effects are found in the adamantane complexes. The density functional theory-symmetry adapted perturbation theory analysis of the interaction energies shows that the most important term in the complexes with cations is the induction, while in the complexes with anion and with cations and anions simultaneously the most important term is the repulsion-exchange one. The electron density of the complexes has been analyzed using the atoms in molecules methodology and provides some insight to the electron transfer within the complexes.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of androgens,estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestagens in human serum

We present a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of 16 endogenous steroids (androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestogens) in human serum. Samples (250 μl of matrix) were extracted with t-butylmethyl ether prior to LC–MS/MS analysis. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase column using a methanol–water gradient. The HPLC was coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source with acquisition in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated using surrogate matrices and human serum samples. The specificity of the method was confirmed for all of the considered steroids; linearity was also assessed (R² > 0.99, lack-of-fit test) in the ranges of concentrations investigated. The lower limits of quantification were in the range 10–400 pg/ml depending on the target steroid. Accuracy was in the range 85–115% for all target steroids except for the lower limit of quantitation levels where it was 80–120%. The extraction recovery was always >65%. No significant matrix effects were observed. To test the reliability of the method, the analysis of serum samples collected from 10 healthy subjects (5 M/5F) was performed. The present method can be used to identify the trajectories of deviation from the concentration normality ranges applied to disorders of the gonadal and adrenal axes.     

One Step Ultrasound Extraction and Purification Method for the Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Hydrocarbons from Marine Sediments: Application to the Monitoring of Italian Coasts

In this study, we describe the development of an ultrasound-assisted method for the simultaneous extraction and purification of hydrocarbons from marine sediments and then its application to the gas chromatographic analysis for the estimation of the biogenic anthropogenic and petrogenic sources of hydrocarbons present in marine sediments. The extraction of hydrocarbons and their simultaneous purification from other organic compounds present in sediments was performed by sonication of a three phase system consisting of sediment, hexane and a HCl medium at pH 2. This method allowed accurate recoveries of the hydrocarbon content in samples. In the following GC-FID analysis, we examined the hydrocarbon distribution in four different areas of the Italian seas determining the pristane to phytane ratio, the total odd n-alkanes to even n-alkanes ratio (carbon preference index), the low molecular weight to high molecular weight ratio, perylene content and the presence of the so called unresolved complex mixture; according to recent studies, these parameters support the identification of the biogenic, anthropogenic and petrogenic hydrocarbon sources present in environmental samples. GC chromatograms were then re-examined by means of two different statistical multivariate methods: two-dimensional mapping (2DMAP) and independent component analysis (ICA). 2DMAP showed the presence of a significant heterogeneity in the hydrocarbon composition of different areas and within samples of a same area. ICA confirmed the general heterogeneity evidenced by 2DMAP allowing in addition to characterise the hydrocarbon composition of one of the investigated areas.

     

Interlaboratory comparison study on PCDDs and PCDFs in cow's milk

Summary Six laboratories in four European countries (GER, GB, S, NL) have conducted an interlaboratory comparison study on the analysis of dioxins in cow's milk. The study comprised a cross comparison of standards and the analysis of the 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners of PCDD/Fs in three different milk pools (no spiking). Participants used their own procedures and methods for the determination of the fat content and PCDD/F levels in biological samples, all using non-polar gas chromatography and medium to high resolution mass spectrometry (RP=3.000–10.000). Quantification was performed by the use of a common quantification standard mixture of the native PCDD/Fs (4 labs) or the own quantification standards (2 labs). Within-laboratory reproducibilities for the determination of the major toxic congeners and the total TCDD toxicity equivalence (TE) level were between 2 and 16% (RSD) with a mean variation of 6% on TE basis. The interlaboratory comparison for TE values agreed within 10–17% (RSD) for TE values between 10.4 and 2.8 pg TE/g milk fat. Reliabilities of both participants and the common standards were difficult to assess and probably less good than expected. Differences in these standards were typically within 25% of expected concentrations up to 50% for some congeners by some laboratories.     

Detailed Hydrocarbon Class Composition Analysis and Trace Level BTEX Estimation in Raffinate Column Bottom (RCB) Using GC×GC–TOFMS

A two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–TOFMS) method was developed for the hydrocarbon class composition analysis and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) estimation of raffinate column bottom (RCB), which is generated as a by-product from linear alkyl benzene (LAB) plants. The molecular level characterization of RCB is important to generate value-added products for the petrochemical industry. GC×GC–TOFMS was found to be an excellent tool for estimation of hydrocarbon class composition (paraffins, naphthenes, monoaromatics, diaromatics, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and trace level BTEX in a single run. The hydrocarbon class composition was validated with the standard method based on HPLC (ASTM D6591) and good correlation was obtained. Finally, RCB is anticipated to be a useful nonhazardous safe by-product which could be used further for generating added value.     

Validation of the Method of Selected Polychlorinated Biphenyls Determination in Human Milk Samples

A method for determination of trace concentrations of individual PCB congeners in human milk was validated. The analytical procedure included the following steps: acetone : hexane extraction, clean-up of extracts with concentrated sulfuric acid and solid phase extraction (SPE) on Florisil. The identification and quantification of analytes in purified extracts were carried out by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) with electron capture detection (ECD) and/or with low-resolution mass spectrometry (LRMS). Recoveries of 14 PCB congeners from spiked cow milk samples, based on HRGC-ECD were between 87.3 and 93.6%. The precision of analyte determination was established as close to or less than 10%. The detection limits ranged between 0.14 and 0.26 ng/g fat and the quantification limits between 0.57 and 0.86 ng/g fat. The method was linear and characterized by good correlation coefficients (>0.99) for most of the compounds studied. The quality of the method under validation was verified by the analysis of Standard Reference Material (CRM-450) and interlaboratory exercise.     

Toward an international standard for PCR-based detection of foodborne Escherichia coli O157: validation of the PCR-based method in a multicenter interlaboratory trial

The performance of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of Escherichia coli O157, previously validated on DNA extracted from pure cultures, was evaluated on spiked cattle swabs through an interlaboratory trial, including 12 participating laboratories from 11 European countries. Twelve cattle swab samples, spiked at 4 levels (0, 1-10, 10-100, and 100-1000 colony-forming units, in triplicate) with E. coli O157 were prepared centrally in the originating laboratory; the receiving laboratories performed pre-PCR treatment followed by PCR. The results were reported as positive when the correct amplicons were present after gel electrophoresis. The statistical analysis, performed on 10 sets of reported results, determined the diagnostic sensitivity to be 92.2%. The diagnostic specificity was 100%. The accordance (repeatability) was 90.0%, calculated from all positive inoculation levels. The concordance (reproducibility) was 85.0%, calculated from all positive inoculation levels. The concordance odds ratio (degree of interlaboratory variation calculated from all positive inoculation levels) was 1.58, indicating the robustness of the PCR method. Thus, the interlaboratory variation due to personnel, reagents, minor temperature or pH fluctuations and, not least, thermal cyclers, did not affect the performance of the method, which is currently being considered as part of an intenational PCR standard.     

Measurements of dissolved nonmethane hydrocarbons in sea water

Summary An automated stripping technique for the measurement of dissolved hydrocarbons in sea water is presented together with some results obtained during a ship cruise from Europe to Brazil. The sea water concentrations of NMHC were determined in a three step process: degassing, preconcentration, and gas chromatographic analysis. In a stripping chamber the dissolved gases were purged from sea water with helium. The stripped hydrocarbons were cryogenically concentrated, and after thermal desorption they were injected into the gas chromatograph. The light fraction (C₂–C₄) was separated on a packed and the heavy fraction (C₅–C₁₀) on a capillary column. All valves were microprocessor controlled in order to achieve an automated process. For the C₂–C₄ hydrocarbons the stripping efficiencies exceeded 90% except for acetylene (80%), the lower limit of detection was 1 to 4.5 pmol hydrocarbon per liter of sea water and the accuracy of the method was better than 25%, depending on the individual hydrocarbons. Typical oceanic concentrations were in the 10 and 100 pmol/l range. Alkenes were generally more abundant than the corresponding alkanes and within the homologous series the concentrations decreased with increasing number of carbon atoms.     

Developments in the use of chromatographic techniques in marine laboratories for the determination of halogenated contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Chromatography has been an important tool in marine laboratories. Since the 1960s, marine laboratories have been involved in the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Column chromatography and liquid chromatography (LC) techniques have been used, mainly in the clean-up phase, while gas chromatography (GC) has been used extensively in the final determination of these contaminants. Developments have been observed from the use of packed GC columns, via capillary columns to the use of heart-cut multi-dimensional GC and comprehensive multi-dimensional GC. The progress made in interlaboratory studies and the availability of certified reference materials are discussed.     

In-Stream Masking of Aluminium in the Determination of Fluoride by Flow-Injection Potentiometry

Abstract

The ability of selected complexing agents to mask aluminium and release fluoride for potentiometric determination in-stream has been assessed. The experimental manifold incorporated a cascade flow cell and comprised two flow paths, the first for conventional flow-injection and the second enabling stopped-flow analyses to be performed. For solutions containing equimolar quantities of Al and F at concentrations up to 10^?3 M in each ion, better than 90% fluoride recovery was achieved in 16s using Tiron. At higher aluminium loadings, fluoride was released more slowly, with citrate and DCTA being found to be more efficient than Tiron. At an Al. F ratio of 4:1 (10^?3 M F), relative release rates for fluoride over a 10 minute period occurred in the following order:

citrate > DCTA > Tiron > tartrate > EDTA

Acetate and hexamine buffers, often recommended as components in TISAB formulations, were as effective as EDTA in releasing fluoride. Using an acetate buffer with citrate as the decomplexing agent slowed this release. Aged Al/F solutions responded almost as quickly as fresh solutions to Tiron and DCTA, with small pH-related effects being observed for solutions 20 days old.     

Correlation between hydrocarbon distribution and water-hydrocarbon ratio in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

In order to shorten the evaluation cycle of cobalt catalyst before the optimized catalyst is fixed on, a mathematical method is proposed to calculate weight percentage of C5+ hydrocarbons. Based on the carbide polymerization mechanism and the main hydrocarbons being linear alkanes and α-olefins, the correlation between hydrocarbon distribution and the molecular mass ratio of water to hydrocarbons is discussed. The result shows the ratio was within the range of 1.125-1.286 and the lower the ratio, the more gaseous hydrocarbons were obtained. Moreover, a linear equation between the weight percentage of C5+ hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C5+ hydrocarbons to the total water is established. These results are validated by corresponding experiments. The weight percentage of C5+ hydrocarbons could be immediately calculated by this linear equation without detailed gas chromatography (GC) analysis of them.     

Novel C9 and C11 Hydrocarbons from the Brown Alga Cutleria multifida; Sigmatropic and Electrocyclic Reactions in Nature. Part VI

In addition to the known C₁₁H₁₆ hydrocarbons multifidene ( 4 ), aucantene ( 2 ), and ectocarpene ( 5 ), the marine brown alga Cutleria multifida produces trace amounts of the C₉H₁₂ hydrocarbon 7-melhylcycloocta-1,3,5-triene ( 8 ) and its valence tautomer 7-methylbicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene, A second novel C₉H₁₂ hydrocarbon is 6-vinyicyclo-hepta-1,4-diene ( 9 ), a lower homologue of ectocarpene ( 5 ). Among the C₁₁H₁₆ hydrocarbons, 7-((1E/Z)-prop-l-enyl)cycloocta-1,4-diene ( 10 / 11 ) is found for the first time. The structure of all new products is confirmed by synthesis and spectroscopic data. The biosynthesis of the new hydrocarbons 8 – 11 is obviously linked to the pathways which lead to the major products giffordene ( 7 ), (6S)-ectocarpene ((6S)- 5 ), and (4R,5R)-aucantene ((4R,5R)- 2 ). Consecutive reactions of certain thermolabile primary products proceed via electrocyclic ring closure, 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangement, or a 1,7-sigmatropic H-shift.     

A novel UPLC–MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of trigonelline, 4-hydroxyisoleucine,and diosgenin from Trigonella foenum-graecum extract: Application to pharmacokinetic study in healthy and type 2 diabetic rats

Trigonelline (TR), 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HI), and diosgenin (DG) are the main bioactives of the purified standardized extract of the popular plant Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (TFG), and it has been proven effective for the treatment of various diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters of purified standardized T. foenum-graecum extract in normal and diabetic Wistar rats. The present study has developed and validated a rapid, reliable, and sensitive simultaneous ultra-performance liquid chromatography MS method to estimate these bioactives. The chromatographic separation was achieved using methanol, acetonitrile, and 0.1% formic acid with the ideal gradient flow system on a BEH Shield RP 18 column. A positive electrospray ionization mode was selected to estimate m/z values of TR (138.14 > 94.63), 4-HI (148.19 > 74.08), and DG (415.54 > 271.33). The method was robust and reproducible over the linearity range of 60–5000, 6–5000, and 15–5000 ng/mL for TR, 4-HI, and DG, respectively. Using this novel validated method, we investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters of bioactives using Phoenix WinNonlin version 8.0 (Certera) in normal and diabetic rats. The assay was successfully applied for the estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters using noncompartmental analysis. This investigation shows that the absorption rate increased, whereas distribution and elimination processes slowed down in diabetic rats compared with normal rats.     

Improved compound-specific delta13C analysis of n-alkanes for application in palaeoenvironmental studies

We present an optimized method for compound-specific stable carbon isotope (delta(13)C) analysis of n-alkanes. For sample preparation, the traditionally used Soxhlet extraction was replaced by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). delta(13)C values of individual n-alkanes--measured using gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS)--were first drift-corrected with regularly discharged pure CO(2) pulses as reference gas and, secondly, corrected for the amount dependence of the delta(13)C values by co-analyzing standards with varying analyte concentrations. Finally, the delta(13)C values were calibrated against two internal standards. The improved method was applied to selected sediment samples from a palaeoenvironmental study in subtropical NE Argentina. The measured delta(13)C values of all long-chain n-alkanes (nC(27), nC(29), nC(31) and nC(33)), representing biomarkers for terrestrial plants, correlate significantly with the delta(13)C of bulk organic matter (delta(13)C(TOC)). The latter is hence corroborated as a proxy for C3-C4 vegetation changes. Furthermore, the delta(13)C variations reveal higher amplitudes for nC(31) and nC(33) than for nC(27) and nC(29), indicating that the former n-alkanes mainly derive from C3 and/or C4 grasses, whereas the latter homologues mainly derive from C3 plants (trees and shrubs). Except for the lowermost part of the sediment core, the delta(13)C values of the mid-chain alkanes nC(23) and nC(25) do not reflect the terrestrial delta(13)C pattern, thus indicating that they are probably mainly of lacustrine origin.