Determination of nitrophenols, diaminotoluenes, and chloroaromatics in ammunition wastewater

Abstract

Methods for the determination of three compound classes, i. e. diaminotoluenes, nitrophenols, and chloroaromatics in groundwater of a former ammunition plant are reported. Diaminotoluenes were extracted by discontinuous liquid/liquid-, nitrophenols by continuous liquid/liquid-extraction using dichloromethane, and chloroaromatics by solid-phase extraction. These compound classes may be analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) or gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GUMS) without derivatization or after derivatization with N-methyl-bis(triflu0roacetamide) (MBTFA) or heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) in the case of diaminotoluenes and HFBA or acetic anhydride in the case of nitrophenols. An atomic emission detector (AED) coupled to a gas chromatograph may be employed for the analysis of chloroaromatics. High selectivity can be achieved using the characteristic wavelengths of chlorine. A variety of these compounds were identified and quantified in a groundwater sample from the former ammunition plant Elsnig (Saxony, Germany). Concentrations were in the lower ppb range. Thus, dichlorobenzenes which may have been used as substituents at the end of World War I1 could be identified in groundwater samples at this site.

Phenols Analysis in Environmental Samples

“…The risk of groundwater contamination by nitrophenols is especially high in the vicinity of munitions manufacturing and dumps. 13 Phenolic compounds such as bisphenol A (80-05-7), long-chain alkylphenol ethoxylates, and derived phenols are known to be endocrine-disrupting xenobiotics (Scheme 1). HO Bisphenol A is more relevant as a food contaminant because it is used as an additive in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, both of which are used in food and drink packaging, as well as in lacquers to coat the inside of food cans and water supply pipes.…”

Sensing nitrophenols and luminescent ink applications of sulfur quantum dots

“…Similarly, 4-NP is an environmental pollutant and harmful carcinogen. 17,18 HPLC, 19 GC-MS, 20 spectrofluorimetry, 21 chemiluminescence, 22 and capillary electrophoresis 23 are commonly used to determine 2-NP and 4-NP. However, these techniques usually require multi-step derivatization, 21,22,24 expensive equipment, 20,25 or long assay times.…”

“…17,18 HPLC, 19 GC-MS, 20 spectrofluorimetry, 21 chemiluminescence, 22 and capillary electrophoresis 23 are commonly used to determine 2-NP and 4-NP. However, these techniques usually require multi-step derivatization, 21,22,24 expensive equipment, 20,25 or long assay times. [19][20][21][22][23]25 Some of these approaches do not even have adequate sensitivity.…”

Determination of phenolic compounds in the marine environment of Thermaikos Gulf, Northern Greece

“…farm waste, biodegradation of humic acids, tannins and lignins, as well as during decomposition of wood or leaves [9]. Moreover, nitrophenols are formed photochemically in the atmosphere mainly from automobile exhausts [10] and as by-products or degradation products of ammunition wastes [11]. Additionally, phenols might be produced from technical processes, i.e.…”