On-Site Profiling and Speciation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Manufactured Gas Plant Sites by a High Temperature Transfer Line, Membrane Inlet Probe Coupled to a Photoionization Detector and Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer

A new high temperature transfer line, membrane inlet probe (HTTL-MIP) coupled to a photoionization detector (PID) and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) was used to rapidly profile and speciate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the subsurface. PID signals were in agreement with GC/M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2008-02, Vol.42 (4), p.1213-1220
Main Authors: Considine, Thomas, Robbat, Jr, Albert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Applied sciences
Correlation analysis
Environmental Measurements Methods
Environmental monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - instrumentation
Gases
High temperature
Hot Temperature
Indicators and Reagents
Industrial plants
Laboratories
Mass spectrometry
Measurement
Pollution
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Polycyclic Compounds - analysis
Reference Standards
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Summary:A new high temperature transfer line, membrane inlet probe (HTTL-MIP) coupled to a photoionization detector (PID) and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) was used to rapidly profile and speciate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the subsurface. PID signals were in agreement with GC/MS results. Correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.99 were obtained for discrete and composite samples collected from the same exact location. Continuous probe advancement with PID detection found coal tar, a dense nonaqueous phase liquid, in soil channels and saturated media. When samples were collected conventionally, split, solvent extracted, and analyzed in the field and confirmation laboratory, GC/MS measurement precision and accuracy were indistinguishable; despite the fact the field laboratory produced data five times faster than the laboratory using standard EPA methods. No false positive/negatives were found. Based on these findings, increased confidence in site conceptual models should be obtained, since PID response indicated total PAH presence/absence in “real-time,” while GC/MS provided information as to which PAH was present and at what concentration. Incorporation of this tool into a dynamic workplan will provide more data at less cost enabling environmental scientists, engineers, and regulators to better understand coal tar migration and its impact on human health and the environment.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es702252q