Determination of Benzo[a]pyrene Diones in Air Particulate Matter with Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The formation of the benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) diones (B[a]P-1,6-dione, B[a]P-3,6-dione, B[a]P-6,12-dione) as the main products of oxidative degradation of B[a]P has been observed under atmospheric conditions in air particulate matter. Samples were collected at two different sites in Munich, Germany. Total B[a]P dione concentrations were determined by APCI/LC−MS and ranged between 8 and 605 pg m-3. The formation of the direct mutagen B[a]P-epoxide was not observed. B[a]P dione concentrations did not correspond with B[a]P and total carbon concentrations, but showed a correlation with solar irradiation. B[a]P dione concentrations were higher on daytime filters compared to filters collected during the night. Lower concentrations of B[a]P diones were observed at the site with higher traffic contributions, suggesting a major role of atmospheric transport. Rapid, high-volume sampling indicates that the B[a]P dione formation is not dependent on B[a]P concentrations, but on photochemical conditions.

In-source fragmentation of partially oxidized mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography

“…This approach has already been applied successfully in a recent study 13 for the identification of several partially oxidized benzo[a]pyrene derivatives at trace levels. Based on the low detection limits for partially oxidized B[a]P derivatives reached in previous LC/APCI-MS measurements ($10 pg), 17,18 and on the high signal-to-noise ratios obtained with the sample amounts used in this study, subnanogram detection limits can also be expected for most of the compounds investigated here, except for the phenyl and naphthyl hydroxides. Thus future measurements will be focused on the identification and quantification of the investigated compounds and similar substances at trace levels in real samples (e.g.…”

“…15,16 APCI-MS techniques for the determination of B[a]P derivatives at trace levels. 17,18 Thereby APCI was found to provide higher sensitivity than the thermospray method, and for several oxy-PAHs detection limits in the order of 10 pg were achieved. 17,18 However, only parent ions could be detected, and thus it was expected that either LC/MS/MS, or ion-trap instruments capable of LC/MS n data acquisition, would be required to obtain structural information about the analytes.…”

“…17,18 Thereby APCI was found to provide higher sensitivity than the thermospray method, and for several oxy-PAHs detection limits in the order of 10 pg were achieved. 17,18 However, only parent ions could be detected, and thus it was expected that either LC/MS/MS, or ion-trap instruments capable of LC/MS n data acquisition, would be required to obtain structural information about the analytes. 19 Nevertheless, recent investigations have shown that a single quadrupole LC/APCI-MS system can also be used to obtain such information for the identification of B[a]P derivatives.…”

Biodegradation of High-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Bacteria

“…However, PAHs released into the environment may originate from many sources, including gasoline and diesel fuel combustion (68,71) and tobacco smoke (35), for example. PAHs are detected in air (63,68), soil and sediment (47,64,65,79,99,118), surface water, groundwater, and road runoff (11,46,72,83); are dispersed from the atmosphere to vegetation (101); and contaminate foods (25,67,89). Anthropogenic and natural sources of PAHs in combination with global transport phenomena result in their worldwide distribution.…”

Serratia-The 4T Engine oil degrader

“…Such loadings may occur through discharge of industrial effluents and through accidental release of raw and refined products. However, PAH released into the environment may originate from many sources including gasoline and diesel fuel combustion [11] and tobacco smoke PAHs are detected in air [11,12], soil and sediment [13][14][15][16][17], surface water groundwater, and road runoff [18][19][20][21] are dispersed from the atmosphere to vegetation [22] and contaminate foods [23][24][25]. Anthropogenic and natural sources of PAHs in combination with global transport phenomena result in their world wide distribution.…”