Surface-active substances in atmospheric aerosol: an electrochemical approach

Abstract

We characterised surface-active substances (SASs) in aqueous extract of atmospheric aerosols by using phase sensitive alternating current voltammetry. The electrochemical method has mainly been used for the quantification of surfactants in sea water but has not been applied to atmospheric aerosols yet. The advantage of the method is its simplicity and sensitivity that enables direct analysis of aerosol extracts without the need for sample concentration. Aerosol samples were collected at Middle Adriatic Martinska station influenced by different air masses as well as from urban (Zagreb, Croatia) and rural (K-puszta, Hungary) areas from late spring to early autumn in 2010. The highest SAS concentrations, expressed in equivalents of T-X-100, ranging from 0.34 to 0.91 µg m−3 were detected in urban samples. The SAS concentrations obtained for marine, regional and continental samples ranged from 0.14 to 0.31, 0.18 to 0.42 and 0.07 to 0.28 µg m−3, respectively. The SAS concentrations in K-puszta aerosols ranged from 0.13 to 0.46 µg m−3. Investigation of humic-like substances isolated from K-puszta samples (2008) confirmed their significant surfactant nature. Different SAS chemistry was noticed for urban and non-urban samples. Investigations at different pH revealed anionic character of SASs in aerosol samples

Determination and analysis of trace metals and surfactant in air particulate matter during biomass burning haze episode in Malaysia

“…The concentration of anionic surfactant determined using methylene blue (MBAS) in the aerosol (4.626 for TSP and 3.675 mmol/m 3 for PM 2.5 ) was found to be higher in this study. This finding support the statements ofFrka et al (2012) studies stated that surfactant in aerosols samples are predominantly of anionic type and are in good agreement with the literature, where poly acidic compounds and highly poly-conjugated acidic compounds like HULIS were found to be significant anionic type surfactant in atmospheric aerosols. Conversely, concentrations of cationic surfactants as DBAS in aerosol samples were not much as expected in this study.…”

Mercury electrode as a tool/sensor for pollutants monitoring in natural waters; advantages and disadvantages regarding moving to “green” electrochemistry

“…Curve shape analysis (Figure 1) enables rough characterization of predominant SAS groups (more hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic types, from saturated fatty acids, polysaccharide xanthan, fulvic and humic type of material), 6,4,27,29 while oxido-reduction peaks offer information on presence of analytes that are oxydized and/or reduced at the Hg surface, 4,5,[12][13][14][15][16] (Figure 2). A detailed analysis of results from both approaches gives information about the composition of the investigated samples, and prevailing type of organic material.…”

“…A detailed analysis of results from both approaches gives information about the composition of the investigated samples, and prevailing type of organic material. 3,4,27,29 Figure 1 AC voltammetric curves of non-filtered,NF (dashed blue) and filtered, F (green crosses) samples taken in spring season from drainage basin in the wetland area of Lonja field (Croatia). 4 Desorption peak around -1.6 V in the NF sample (FIGURE 1)can be ascribed to the presence of polysacharide type of organic matter 3 .…”

Trends in Research on Electrochemical Oxidation

“…4 And surface active substances could also be analyzed by nondestructive electrochemical methods. 10 Moreover, electrochemical regeneration of adsorbents had constituted an excellent alternative way these years. A novel electrofenton-based method was used to promote the regeneration of granular activated carbon previously adsorbed with toluene and efficient cleaning and regeneration was approached.…”