Optimization of a large‐volume injection method for compound‐specific isotope analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds at trace concentrations

Abstract

LVI with PTV injector cooling allows for the isotopic analysis of volatile and semi-volatile PAHs at trace concentrations, thus considerably expanding the applicability of CSIA in environmental studies.

Multi-element isotope fractionation concepts to characterize the biodegradation of hydrocarbons — from enzymes to the environment

“…In case ME-CSIA data cannot solely prove in situ biodegradation, additional methods should be employed as geochemical approaches, metabolite analyses, in situ microcosms or expression analyses of functional genes [3,48]. For environmental samples containing low concentrated, almost water insoluble hydrocarbons, new techniques have been recently described for extraction and carbon and/or hydrogen isotope analysis, allowing, for example, measuring PAHs in the sub-ng L À1 range [49][50][51]. Similar approaches have been done for the isotopic analysis of micropollutants [12].…”

Hydrogen Isotope Fractionation As a Tool to Identify Aerobic and Anaerobic PAH Biodegradation

“…Accordingly, different nonfractionating extraction strategies have to be considered such as solid-phase extractions or the use of semipermeable membrane devices . Recently described methods for sensitive carbon and/or hydrogen isotope analysis of PAHs may offer chances to isotopically analyze PAHs up to the ng L –1 range. − Further limitations of CSIA can result from mixing effects of different aquifer zones during sampling of contaminated groundwater; especially at the fringe of the plume, reactive zones often occur at fine spatial scale . As a rule of thumb, samples for CSIA or other analyses should be taken from multilevel sampling wells located in the source and the fringe of the plume to prevent any mixing effects.…”

Advances in pretreatment and analysis methods of aromatic hydrocarbons in soil

“…According to reports, a programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV) enables the injection of larger volumes when the expected levels are very low, and protects thermolabile compounds by progressively heating and vaporizing them. 119,120 Compared with traditional GC method, the recovery of GC-MS with PTV and an automatic sampler was signicantly improved; this was due to the reduced analyte loss during the sample preparation step. 121…”