Environmental Forensics Investigation in Sediments near a Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site

Saber, D. L.; Mauro, David M.; Sirivedhin, Tanita

doi:10.1080/15275920500506881

Cited by 38 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Although the GW samples contained creosote components and showed similar patterns to TIF, CT, and AT samples, they nonetheless exhibited high naphthalene content, which is in agreement with other studies (Saber et al 2006;Stupp and Püttmann 2001). Since naphthalene is the most volatile PAH and the first component, which disappears when exposed to environment or to pyrogenic processes, weathering must be the reason for the absence of naphthalene in samples TIF, CT, and AT.…”

Section: Pah Patternsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…(Brown et al 2006;Kaplan et al 2001;Marr et al 1999;Murphy and Brown 2005;Radke et al 1984;Wang and Fingas 2003). Other studies have investigated PAH contaminated soils (Stout and Wasielewski 2004;Saber et al 2006), sediments (Costa et al 2004;Saber et al 2006), and water (Costa et al 2004) located near former industrial companies (i.e., point sources, but in an environmental matrix) using aforementioned forensic methods. PAH containing atmospheric particles from wood smoke (Dos Santos Barbosa et al 2006), coal smoke (Oros and Simoneit 2000) household soot (Reddy et al 2003) and urban particulate matter (Purificación López et al 2003;Sharma and McBean 2001) were also characterized (i.e., atmospheric point sources).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…However, determining the contaminant source is exceedingly difficult when it occurs in a complex environmental mixture Pies et al 2008;Stout et al 2002;Stout and Wasielewski 2004;Saber et al 2006). In general, only combinations of various methods deliver a characteristic source fingerprint.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

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Identifying sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils: distinguishing point and non-point sources using an extended PAH spectrum and n-alkanes

2008

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Background, aim, and scope Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. They are formed during pyrogenic and diagenetic processes and are components of petrogenic materials such as oils and coals. To identify PAH sources, several studies have employed forensic methods, which may be costly to execute. Although a large number of possible forensic methods are available (e.g., total ion chromatograms, PAH ratios, PAH alkyl homologue series, isoalkanes and isoprenoids, steranes and terpanes, stable isotope ratios, nalkanes), one has to decide which method is the appropriate cost effective screening approach. In this study, three approaches were tested and compared by measuring (1) an extended PAH spectrum (i.e., 45 instead of the common 16 EPA-PAHs), (2) PAH ratios and (3) n-alkanes to determine if point sources are distinguishable from nonpoint sources, and if an individual source can be distinguished from a multiple source contaminated site in the study area. In addition, the study evaluated whether these methods are sufficient for source identification of selected samples, and if they constitute a sound strategy for source identification prior to the selection of more cost intensive methods. Materials and methods Eighteen samples with previously characterized PAH point sources (previously characterized point sources in the Mosel and Saar region) were analyzed. Additionally, three river bank soils of Mosel and Saar rivers with known non-point PAH sources were investigated. The point sources were two gasworks, a tar impregnation facility, a creosoted timber, an acid tar, a tank farm, and a diesel contaminated site. Non-point sources were hard coal particles and atmospheric inputs in river bank soils. All samples were extracted with hexane and acetone, analyzed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer for PAH distribution patterns and ratios. n-Alkanes were measured by a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. Results Samples collected from point sources and nonpoint sources were analyzed by the use of three forensic methods, i.e., PAH patterns of an extended PAH spectrum, PAH ratios and n-alkanes. Identification by PAH patterns alone was insufficient for the non-point sources and some point sources, since the n-alkanes must be measured, as well. The use of PAH ratios with only 16 EPA-PAHs is less indicative in determining multiple sources because source assignments (or categories) change depending on the ratio used.Discussion This study showed that by employing an extended PAH spectrum it is possible to fingerprint and distinguish sources. The use of alkylated PAHs is essential for identifying petrogenic sources. It is insufficient to rely

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Section: Pah Patternsupporting

confidence: 92%

mentioning

confidence: 96%

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Identifying sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils: distinguishing point and non-point sources using an extended PAH spectrum and n-alkanes

2008

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“…Petrogenic substances (petrogenics) are defined as the substances that originate from petroleum, including crude oil, fuels, lubricants, and their derivatives (Saber et al 2006). Petrogenic PAHs are introduced into the aquatic environment through accidental oil spills, discharge from routine tanker operations, municipal and urban runoff, etc.…”

Section: Petrogenicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

2015

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

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“…forensic arson investigation, where the chemical signature of an ignitable liquid was detected in the complex chemical matrix of a fire debris sample [69]. However, it is the GC -IRMS technique (used in conjunction with GC and GC -MS) that has been proposed as a powerful tool to individualize a range of biomakers of interest in environmental forensic studies [e. g., 305,306,310,311]. This technique was applied in the study conducted by Mazeas and Budzinski [312], who analyzed samples of bird feathers and tar ball residues collected from the Atlantic Coast of France following the Erika oil spill.…”

Section: Forensic Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for analyses of organic compounds and biomarkers as tracers for geological, environmental, and forensic research

Medeiros

Simoneit

2007

J of Separation Science

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ReviewGas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for analyses of organic compounds and biomarkers as tracers for geological, environmental, and forensic research Gas chromatography, especially when coupled with mass spectrometry, is the analytical method of choice for elucidation of biomarker compounds present in organic mixtures extracted from geological, environmental, and biological samples. This review describes the biomarker concept, i. e., the precursor natural products to the geological/environmental derivatives, and their application as multi-tracers in the geosphere and ambient environment. The mass spectrometric methods currently utilized for such analyses are reviewed with a general key to the literature, and typical examples of applications using GC -MS are also described.

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Environmental Forensics Investigation in Sediments near a Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site

Cited by 38 publications

References 16 publications

Identifying sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils: distinguishing point and non-point sources using an extended PAH spectrum and n-alkanes

Identifying sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils: distinguishing point and non-point sources using an extended PAH spectrum and n-alkanes

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for analyses of organic compounds and biomarkers as tracers for geological, environmental, and forensic research

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