Analysis Of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons From Street Dust In Monmouth, IL

Submitted By Ahmad-Pauzi
Words: 3081
Pages: 13
Open Document
Analysis of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons from Street Dust in Monmouth, IL Abstract Due to the carcinogenic nature and mutagenic potential of some polyaromatic hydrocarbons, such as Triphenylphosphine oxide (PPh3O or TPPO), street dust was collected from four separate locations around the city of Monmouth, Illinois, to be analyzed for these compounds. Each sample collection was washed to extract hydrocarbons for analysis qualitatively and quantitatively via Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy (UV/Vis) and Gas
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), respectively. Data collected from UV/Vis showed absorbance peaks in the 200­400 nm range which is indicative of the presence of polyaromatic hydrocarbon compounds. GC/MS data indicated the presence of Icosane
(Eicosane), which is a petroleum derived fuel and TPPO, a polyaromatic compound commonly found in fertilizers. Introduction Street dust contains toxic hydrocarbons generated from the exhaust particles of automobiles.1 Unburnt fuel is released as aliphatic compounds which generally consist of low molecular weight hydrocarbons containing carbon and hydrogen joined together as straight chains, branched chains, or non­aromatic rings. Leaked crankcase oil from automobiles and tire wear on the road surface are common sources of the hydrocarbons in street dust.2 The urban atmospheric environment also contains many organic trace pollutants.3 Urban surfaces receive deposits issued from one or more remote sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, domestic heating, waste incineration and other anthropogenic activities. Deposits are also known to come from atmospheric transport as well as local human activities such as farming.4 The accumulation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons in dust and soil may lead to the contamination of vegetation and food chains, resulting in direct or indirect exposure to humans.5 Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons possess a carcinogenic nature as well as exhibit a mutagenic potential.8,6
The relative distribution of homologous n­alkanes provides insight into the potential origin of a sample. Alkanes of higher molecular weights originate from processes which produce homologues that range from approximately C12 to C40 carbons long.6 Four main factors which are affected include: high­temperature combustion fuels, fugitive emissions from oil residues, biogenic sources, and unburned fuels.7 Research shows that high molecular weight alkanes are in fact persistent in the environment; and due to this, alkanes may pose acute toxicity to different organisms that are exposed to them.6 However, due to the volatility and biodegradability of low molecular weight alkanes, they are less toxic. By analyzing street dust through GC/MS, one may

get an approximate idea of the distributions of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in city streets. This research specifically investigated the distribution of the various classes of hydrocarbons present in street dust collected from different locations around Monmouth, Illinois.
The viable source of samples are found in automobile exhaust, lubricating oils, and tire particles.8 The analysis and extraction of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons was the primary focus. Samples were extracted using a modified version of a previously published extraction procedure.7 The extracted samples were then analyzed with Ultraviolet­Visible Spectroscopy
(UV/Vis) to detect any aromatic hydrocarbons within the wavelength region of 200­400 nm. An increased absorbance in the region of 200­400 nm is evidence towards the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons. Gas Chromatography­Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), a technique known to prove useful for the analysis of aliphatic hydrocarbons, was used to identify the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons within the sample extractions.9, 10
Herein, UV/Vis and GC/MS were used to determine the presence of aliphatic and
aromatic
Show More

Related Documents: Analysis Of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons From Street Dust In Monmouth, IL

Essay on Draft Final 1

emissions, can potentially be produced from waste materials, existing cars can use 10-percent blends (called E10), and more than 8 million cars already on the road can use E85. Cons: Twenty-five percent lower fuel economy on E85 than gasoline. Less than 1 percent of U.S. gas stations carry E85. Federal fuel economy credits awarded to automakers for E85 cars lower overall fuel economy for all cars. Ethanol made from any food crop can adversely affect food prices. Farm equipment involved in crop production…

Words 2035 - Pages 9

Essay 1 Final Draft

Kevin Cesari ENG 110 Professor Elias 10 October 2014 Intelligence and the Web The human brain is a marvelously complex system, through which people are gifted with their own power of cognition. Through the development of technology, humanity has created its own complex systems that serve, essentially, as extensions of the brain. Computers give access to a place where the thoughts, opinions, and emotions of all people can be painted onto an openly accessible canvas. This allows people to connect…

Words 1455 - Pages 6

Essay Research Final Draft 1

Foxconn’s Labor Conditions Nina Zhang Foxconn’s Labor Conditions Over the past twenty years, China has become a popular place for employing cheap labor. Many foreign companies from different countries around the world, especially the United States, have greatly benefited from using a lot of cheap labor in China. “About 70 percent of the worlds’ umbrellas, 60 percent of the world’s buttons, 72 percent of U.S. shoes are made in China [sic], and 50 percent of U.S. kitchen appliances are…

Words 3171 - Pages 13

Mie Tran Final Draft Essay 1

Mie Tran Hanaway AW4 15/7/15 Descriptive Essay Final Draft The Reason I Love Hawaii What is paradise? Paradise is a place of beauty, delight or heaven, and we all have that in our life. For me, I have some special places, but Hawaii is one in particular that I had a good time with my family. Hawaii is asignificant place with attractive sceneries, activities to do and a welcoming atmosphere. One reason I love Hawaii is there are some of the most heavenly sceneries in the world. First, Hawaii has…

Words 547 - Pages 3

Argument Piece final draft 1 Essay

Argument Piece Dear Mr I.M Balding, I am writing to you because I believe that your article ‘Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth’ published In the EDP on the 14th of December is very provocative and pressuring to parents. I have many issues with your article: First, I think that your point that children should attend state education is absurd for many reasons. My main point being that not all children are lucky enough to live ‘normal’ lives. Some, unfortunately are born with disabilities and…

Words 828 - Pages 4

Final Draft For The 5 Paragraph Essay 1

Dwan Denk Professor L. Fuller English 111 T/R 0800 03 March 2015 Five-Paragraph Essay Final Draft History meets Adventure Judging by the cover, this movie may lead you to think it is nothing more than another pirate adventure; however, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was a pleasant surprise. Nothing about the title seemed exciting at first glance, but this adventure movie showed to be nothing short of a masterpiece. An aged warship, Surprise, under the command of British Captain…

Words 723 - Pages 3

English: Writing and Review Drafts / Strategy Essay

principles of organization, purpose, proofreading, graphics, and language structure, students will produce communications appropriate to the careers of their choice. COURSE GOALS: The course is designed to accomplish the following objectives: 1. Understand the necessity for listening to, reading, and following directions 2. Be presented with a grammar review 3. Be presented with the basics of business communications 4. Compose, format, and manage e-mail 5. Evaluate the quality…

Words 1402 - Pages 6

Cultural: Culture and Final Draft Essay

Application Paper #1 Culture and Identity First draft due: Oct. 1 Final draft due: Oct. 15 Prompt For this assignment, reflect on how your cultural background has influenced your identity, self-concept and approach to communication. What culture or cultures do you identify with? Why are they important to you? How have they changed (or solidified) over time? How have they influenced the way you communicate? How does your cultural approach to communication add value to a situation or relationship…

Words 334 - Pages 2

Anne Lamott's Shitty First Draft

composition with a “shitty first draft” (Lamott 1). Lamott exposes the common misconception that professional writers and authors always write fluidly and beautifully. According to Lamott and other successful writers she consulted, a first draft often begins with forcing oneself to write whatever comes to mind. This could mean just typing and getting ones’ fingers moving across the keyboard. Writing is a gradual process that begins with a “child’s draft” (Lamott 1). This kind of draft does not contain perfect…

Words 467 - Pages 2

English: Popular Culture and Feature Article Essay

CHISHOLM CATHOLIC COLLEGE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT [pic] YEAR 11 SEMESTER 1, 2013 UNIT: Youth and Popular Culture ASSESSMENT: Feature Article (persuasive text for a public audience) W1 NAME: ____________________________DRAFT DUE: Monday 25 February 2013 TEACHER: ______________________DATE DUE: Last lesson wk begin. 4/3/13 THE TASK: ❖ Write a feature article on issues and challenges facing the youth of today and as presented in the novel…

Words 754 - Pages 4