A method for the simultaneous quantification of 23 C1–C9 trace aldehydes and ketones in seawater
Edward D. Hudson A D , Parisa A. Ariya A B D and Yves Gélinas C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada.
B Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada.
C Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada. Email: ygelinas@alcor.concordia.ca
D Corresponding authors. Email: edward.hudson@mail.mcgill.ca; parisa.ariya@mcgill.ca
Environmental Chemistry 8(4) 441-449 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN10115
Submitted: 20 October 2010 Accepted: 27 June 2011 Published: 19 August 2011
Environmental context. Low-molecular weight aldehydes and ketones formed in the oceans may be transferred to the atmosphere, affecting its oxidant chemistry and capacity. This in turn affects the lifetimes of other trace gases, as well as leading to secondary organic aerosol formation, both of which have climatic implications. We describe a facile, economical and readily available technique to measure low-molecular weight aldehydes and ketones in seawater.
Abstract. Low molecular weight aldehydes and ketones in the surface oceans are produced by dissolved organic matter photochemistry or by biology, and can be transferred to the atmosphere, affecting its oxidative capacity. They therefore link the organic carbon biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and the oceans. We have developed and optimised a mobile, economical and facile method which allows for the simultaneous quantification of 23 C1–C9 low molecular weight aldehydes and ketones in seawater. The compounds are derivatised using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)-hydroxylamine (PFBHA), pre-concentrated by solid-phase microextraction and analysed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric or flame ionisation detection. Detection limits range from 0.01 to 23.5 nM, depending on the compound, with sub-nanomolar detection limits achieved for most compounds. High process blanks were observed for C1–C3 carbonyl compounds; sparging with ultrahigh purity argon, and solid phase extraction of the dissolved PFBHA to remove pre-existing carbonyl oximes, were the most effective blank reduction methods. The method was applied to surface waters from the lower St Lawrence Estuary (Quebec, Canada), revealing C2–C6 carbonyl compounds at concentrations of up to 7.5 nM.
Additional keywords: chemometrics, dissolved organic carbon, Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, SPME, volatile organic compounds.
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