TY - JOUR
T1 - δ13C stable isotope analysis of atmospheric oxygenated volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry
AU - Giebel, Brian M.
AU - Swart, Peter K.
AU - Riemer, Daniel D.
PY - 2010/8/15
Y1 - 2010/8/15
N2 - We present a new method for analyzing the δ13C isotopic composition of several oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) from direct sources and ambient atmospheric samples. Guided by the requirements for analysis of trace components in air, a gas chromatograph isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-IRMS) system was developed with the goal of increasing sensitivity, reducing dead-volume and peak band broadening, optimizing combustion and water removal, and decreasing the split ratio to the isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). The technique relies on a two-stage preconcentration system, a low-volume capillary reactor and water trap, and a balanced reference gas delivery system. The instrument's measurement precision is 0.6 to 2.9% (1s), and results indicate that negligible sample fractionation occurs during gas sampling. Measured δ13C values have a minor dependence on sample size; linearity for acetone was 0.06% ng C-1 and was best over 1-10 ng C. Sensitivity is ∼10 times greater than similar instrumentation designs, incorporates the use of a diluted working reference gas (0.1% CO2), and requires collection of >0.7 ng C to produce accurate and precise results. With this detection limit, a 1.0 L sample of ambient air provides sufficient carbon for isotopic analysis. Emissions from vegetation and vehicle exhaust are compared and show clear differences in isotopic signatures. Ambient samples collected in metropolitan Miami and the Everglades National Park can be differentiated and reflect multiple sources and sinks affecting a single sampling location. Vehicle exhaust emissions of ethanol, and those collected in metropolitan Miami, have anomalously enriched δ13C values ranging from -5.0 to -17.2%; we attribute this result to ethanol's origin from corn and use as an additive in automotive fuels.
AB - We present a new method for analyzing the δ13C isotopic composition of several oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) from direct sources and ambient atmospheric samples. Guided by the requirements for analysis of trace components in air, a gas chromatograph isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-IRMS) system was developed with the goal of increasing sensitivity, reducing dead-volume and peak band broadening, optimizing combustion and water removal, and decreasing the split ratio to the isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). The technique relies on a two-stage preconcentration system, a low-volume capillary reactor and water trap, and a balanced reference gas delivery system. The instrument's measurement precision is 0.6 to 2.9% (1s), and results indicate that negligible sample fractionation occurs during gas sampling. Measured δ13C values have a minor dependence on sample size; linearity for acetone was 0.06% ng C-1 and was best over 1-10 ng C. Sensitivity is ∼10 times greater than similar instrumentation designs, incorporates the use of a diluted working reference gas (0.1% CO2), and requires collection of >0.7 ng C to produce accurate and precise results. With this detection limit, a 1.0 L sample of ambient air provides sufficient carbon for isotopic analysis. Emissions from vegetation and vehicle exhaust are compared and show clear differences in isotopic signatures. Ambient samples collected in metropolitan Miami and the Everglades National Park can be differentiated and reflect multiple sources and sinks affecting a single sampling location. Vehicle exhaust emissions of ethanol, and those collected in metropolitan Miami, have anomalously enriched δ13C values ranging from -5.0 to -17.2%; we attribute this result to ethanol's origin from corn and use as an additive in automotive fuels.
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U2 - 10.1021/ac1007442
DO - 10.1021/ac1007442
M3 - Article
C2 - 20704369
AN - SCOPUS:77955595602
VL - 82
SP - 6797
EP - 6806
JO - Industrial And Engineering Chemistry Analytical Edition
JF - Industrial And Engineering Chemistry Analytical Edition
SN - 0003-2700
IS - 16
ER -