1
|
Pérez Ballesta P, Baù A, Field RA, Woolfenden E. Using the POD sampler for quantitative diffusive (passive) monitoring of volatile and very volatile organics in ambient air: Sampling rates and analytical performance. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 179:108119. [PMID: 37597498 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
POD diffusive samplers loaded with Carbopack X and Carbograph 5TD were exposed to certified calibration mixtures containing a total of 110 different ozone precursor and air toxic compounds. Constant sampling rates were identified for 39 ozone precursors and 33 air toxics. As 9 of these compounds were included in both mixtures, this meant a total of 63 different volatile and very volatile compounds were sampled using the POD with overall expanded uncertainties below 30 % for the sampling rate associated with the whole range of sampling times from 2 to 24 h. Carbograph 5TD exhibited superior performance for diffusive sampling of oxygenated and halogenated compounds in the air toxics mixture, while Carbopack X showed higher sampling efficiencies for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as halogenated compounds derived from benzene and C2 carbon number hydrocarbons. A model has been developed and applied to estimate sampling rates, primarily for the more volatile and weakly adsorbed compounds, as a function of the collected amount of analyte and the exposure time. For an additional 9 ozone precursors on Carbopack X, and 11 air toxics on Carbograph 5TD, the expanded uncertainties of modelled sampling rates were reduced to below 30 % and have a significantly reduced uncertainty compared to those associated with an averaged sampling rate. The paper provides Freundlich's isotherm parameters for the estimated (modelled) sampling rates and defines a pragmatic approach to their application. It does so by identifying the best sampling time to use for the expected exposure concentrations and associated analyte masses. This allows for expansion of the sampling concentration range from hundreds ng m-3 to mg m-3, while avoiding saturation of the adsorbent. Finally, field measurement comparisons of POD samplers, pumped tube samplers and online gas chromatography (GC), for sampling periods of 3 and 7 days in a semi-rural background area, showed no significant differences between reported concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Pérez Ballesta
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre. Directorate C-Energy, Mobility and Climate. Clean Air and Climate Unit, I-21027, Ispra, VA, Italy.
| | - A Baù
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre. Directorate C-Energy, Mobility and Climate. Clean Air and Climate Unit, I-21027, Ispra, VA, Italy
| | - R A Field
- United Nations Environment Programme, 1 Rue Miollis, 75015 Paris, France
| | - E Woolfenden
- Markes International Ltd. 1000B Central Park, Western Avenue, Bridgend, CF31 3RT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Helmig D, Fangmeyer J, Fuchs J, Hueber J, Smith K. Evaluation of selected solid adsorbents for passive sampling of atmospheric oil and natural gas non-methane hydrocarbons. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2022; 72:235-255. [PMID: 34738882 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2021.2000518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This project investigated passive adsorbent sampling of light (C2-C5) hydrocarbons which are sensitive tracers of fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas (O&NG) sources. Stronger adsorbent materials, i.e. Carboxen 1000 and Carboxen 1016, than those typically used in adsorbent sampling were considered. Experiments were conducted in laboratory and field settings using thermal desorption - gas chromatography analysis. Uptake of water vapor and system blanks were challenges inherent to the increased affinity of these adsorbents. Carboxen 1000 exhibited the best signal-to-noise ratio for the target compounds after optimizing conditioning parameters to reduce blanks, and by reducing the adsorbent mass loaded in the cartridge. This strategy reduced blanks to equivalent ambient air mole fractions of <0.05 nmol mol-1 (ppb), and allowed determination of these O&NG tracers over three-day sampling intervals with a lower detection limit of ≥0.5-1 ppb. Linear VOCs uptake was observed in dry air. Water uptake was as high as 0.65 gH2O g-1adsorbent at relative humidity (RH) above ≈ 75%. The water collection passivates adsorbent sites and competes with the uptake rates of VOCs; under the worst case relative humidity level of 95% RH, VOCs uptake rates dropped to 27-39% of those in dry air. This effect potentially causes results to be biased low when cartridges are deployed at high relative humidity (RH), including overnight, when RH is often elevated over daytime levels. Nonetheless, representative sampling results were obtained under ambient conditions during three field studies where cartridges were evaluated alongside whole air sample collection in canisters. Agreement varied by compound: Ethane and alkenes correlated poorly and could not be analyzed with satisfactory results; results for C3-C5 alkanes were much better: i-butane correlated with R2 > 0.5, and propane, n-butane, i-pentane, and n-pentane with R2 > 0.75, which demonstrates the feasibility of the passive sampling of these latter O&NG tracers. Implications: Oil and natural gas development has been associated with emissions of petroleum hydrocarbons that impact air quality and human health. This research characterizes and defines the application possibilities of solid adsorbent sampling for atmospheric passive sampling monitoring of low molecular weight volatile organic compounds (i.e. ethane through pentane isomers) that are most commonly emitted from natural gas drilling and well sites. The passive sampling of these pollutants offers a simple, low cost, and readily applicable monitoring method for assessing emissions and air quality impacts in the surroundings of oil and gas operations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Detlev Helmig
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Boulder A.I.R. LLC, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Jens Fangmeyer
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Joshua Fuchs
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jacques Hueber
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Kate Smith
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ziabari SEH, Tabatabaie T, Amiri F, Ramavandi B. Spatial distribution of BTEX emission and health risk assessment in the ambient air of pars special economic energy zone (PSEEZ) using passive sampling. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:118. [PMID: 35072808 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09767-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are a challenging group of volatile organic compounds in industrial and energy areas. Since these aromatics may cause serious diseases such as cancer and respiratory illnesses, they must be monitored. Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ) in Iran is the second largest energy zone of the world with numerous gas refineries and petrochemical complexes for producing a wide range of products. This study is focused on determination of BTEX concentration in the whole South Pars area (46 sampling points) which is the active site of PSEEZ using passive sampling. Then, the results of the passive sampling are used for providing spatial distribution of BTEX using GIS. The annual BTEX measurements revealed that benzene and toluene concentration violates the maximum permitted values at numerous points most of which are located in the vicinity of petrochemical complexes. Active sampling in these complexes not only confirms the results of passive sampling, but also suggests a more intensified BTEX pollution in the air quality of the area which reaches as high as 3500 μg.m-3 and 18,000 μg.m-3 for benzene and toluene, respectively, being far beyond the acceptable standards. Health risk analysis also confirms the intensity of BTEX at the selected points. This study suggests a reconsideration of the location of non-operational sites and personnel who are more vulnerable to BTEX contamination. Also, BTEX profile provided by GIS in this research gives a suitable plan for relocating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tayebeh Tabatabaie
- Department of Environment, Bushehr Branch , Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fazel Amiri
- Department of Environment, Bushehr Branch , Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Bahman Ramavandi
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Performance evaluation of a new three-in one diffusive sampler for monitoring NO 2, SO 2 and O 3. Talanta 2020; 214:120829. [PMID: 32278409 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A tailor-made diffusive sampler has been developed for the determination of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations with a performance evaluation of the sampler being carried out under field and laboratory conditions. The most important characteristics of the sampler design is that simultaneous sampling of the three pollutants can be performed in one sampler. All the parts of the diffusive sampler are reusable after cleaning. These properties provide important advantages in terms of cost and practicality. Two alternative samplers, having long and short diffusion paths, have been designed. Extensive validation studies, including detection limit, precision, accuracy, recovery, shelf life, storage stability, comparison with commercial diffusive samplers, and the effects of shelter use were conducted in accordance with European Standards (EN). According to the validation results, all of the parameters evaluated for the diffusive sampler (for both long and short diffusion path designs) comply with the related standards and the sampler is expected to play an important role in the widespread monitoring of inorganic pollutants, since it is cheap, easy to use and deliverable within the country.
Collapse
|
5
|
Hamid HHA, Latif MT, Uning R, Nadzir MSM, Khan MF, Ta GC, Kannan N. Observations of BTEX in the ambient air of Kuala Lumpur by passive sampling. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:342. [PMID: 32382809 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) are well known hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to their human health risks and photochemical effects. The main objective of this study was to estimate BTEX levels and evaluate interspecies ratios and ozone formation potentials (OFP) in the ambient air of urban Kuala Lumpur (KL) based on a passive sampling method with a Tenax® GR adsorbent tube. Analysis of BTEX was performed using a thermal desorption (TD)-gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS). OFP was calculated based on the Maximum Incremental Reactivity (MIR). Results from this study showed that the average total BTEX during the sampling period was 66.06 ± 2.39 μg/m3. Toluene (27.70 ± 0.97 μg/m3) was the highest, followed by m,p-xylene (13.87 ± 0.36 μg/m3), o-xylene (11.49 ± 0.39 μg/m3), ethylbenzene (8.46 ± 0.34 μg/m3) and benzene (3.86 ± 0.31 μg/m3). The ratio of toluene to benzene (T:B) is > 7, suggesting that VOCs in the Kuala Lumpur urban environment are influenced by vehicle emissions and other anthropogenic sources. The average of ozone formation potential (OFP) value from BTEX was 278.42 ± 74.64 μg/m3 with toluene and xylenes being the major contributors to OFP. This study also indicated that the average of benzene concentration in KL was slightly lower than the European Union (EU)-recommended health limit value for benzene of 5 μg/m3 annual exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid
- Institute for Environmental and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Royston Uning
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Md Firoz Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Goh Choo Ta
- Institute for Environmental and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Narayanan Kannan
- Smart Green Consultancy Sdn Bhd, 20A Jalan Ipoh Kecil, Off Jalan Ipoh, 50350, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Marć M, Bielawska M, Wardencki W, Namieśnik J, Zabiegała B. The influence of meteorological conditions and anthropogenic activities on the seasonal fluctuations of BTEX in the urban air of the Hanseatic city of Gdansk, Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:11940-11954. [PMID: 25869437 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The results of studies conducted in Gdansk in the period from January to December 2013 and focused on the determination of BTEX in the atmospheric air are presented. At the stage of the isolation and/or enrichment of analytes from the gaseous medium, a passive sampling technique-Radiello® diffusive passive samplers, was applied. The time-weighted average annual concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes determined in the monitored area was as follows: 0.66 ± 0.32, 1.63 ± 0.94, 0.67 ± 0.61, and 2.9 ± 2.7 μg/m(3). As a result of the research, the potential emission sources of BTEX, which activity has a significant impact on the concentration of these compounds in the atmosphere in the Gdansk area, were identified. A comparison of the accuracy and precision of the results of benzene concentrations in the atmosphere obtained by the BTEX automatic analyzer and passive techniques was performed. Moreover, a significant influence of meteorological conditions, such as air temperature, intensity of solar radiation, velocity and direction of wind, humidity, and rainfall on the benzene content in ambient air was shown. Additionally, in order to determine the conditions in the area covered by the monitoring, information about atmospheric stability and the height of the mixing layer was presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Marć
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|