Identification and Quantification of Pah in Bitumen by Gc- Ion-Trap MS and HPLC-Fluorescent Detectors

Abstract

Bitumen is a complex product with a large matrix of heavy aliphatic/naphthenic/aromatic hydrocarbons as well as a large number of isomeric compounds such as polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). Some PACs and derivatives are known to have a mutagenic and carcinogenic activity, and there is no generally satisfactory clean-up method for separating PACs from this very complex hydrocarbon matrix. Moreover, from an analytical point of view, the isomeric compounds usually co-elute in the same gas chromatography (GC) retention range, GC being one of the most widely used techniques in this area. However, the use of a suitable clean-up procedure for isolating the aromatic fractions, combined with two selective detection techniques such as mass spectrometry (GC-Ion Trap MS) and HPLC-Fluorescent detector (HPLC-FL), is expected to provide an effective tool for accurately determining certain PAC species in bitumen.In this paper we compare two quantitative extractions to analyse the 16 PAHs that occur in bitumen according to the US EPA reference list. Two clean-up protocols are assessed

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) skin permeation rates change with simultaneous exposures to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-S)

“…The brown collection vials from the flow-through diffusion cell experiments were extracted before analysis. The extraction method has already been published (Huynh et al 2007). Briefly, the solid phase extraction column (SPE; HyperSep C18, 500 mg, 6 ml) was conditioned (methanol (5 ml) and washed with water (5 ml)).…”

Field Sampling Investigations Within the Road Paving Industry

“…The optimized protocol for the PAH quantification has been described previously. (10) In short, a fluorescence detector was used with high performance liquid chromatography. Consequently, acenaphthylene from the EPA list was not quantified due to its low fluorescence.…”

Multimethod Approach to Investigate the Factors Influencing High-Temperature Fuming of Bitumen

“…Given its complexity, the effect of the microstructure on emissions and fumes is still poorly understood. While large aromatic systems are present in the asphaltene fractions and large hydrophobic hydrocarbons exist in the mixture, it is unclear how any variations in concentration, molecular structure, and distribution could influence the emission potential of VOCs and PAHs. − The emissions of PAHs and VOCs have been extensively studied and are well established in bitumen. ,,,− The emissions of PAHs and VOCs in bitumen generally remain low, and their emissions are classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (group 2B) by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In 2011, the IARC working group concluded that there was insufficient evidence to determine the carcinogenicity of hard and straight-run bitumens in humans…”

“…Many current laboratory methods used to examine bitumen emissions rely on the extraction and concentration of emissions onto filters. When using this method, bitumen is heated and mixed in a closed vessel, while air is pulled through the vessel’s headspace and subsequently through filters to collect and concentrate the emissions. ,,− This method has expanded significantly upon the understanding of bitumen fumes and has been essential in establishing health advice for persons that are regularly exposed to bitumen emissions. − …”