Citation:

Samy, S. AND M. Hays. Quantitative LC–MS for water-soluble heterocyclic amines in fine aerosols (PM2.5) at Duke Forest, USA. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 72:77-80, (2013).

Impact/Purpose:

HCA concentrations in the water-soluble aerosol fraction have not been determined until now. Accurate-mass MS (Q-TOF) and MS-MS data confirm the presence of water-soluble HCAs in the complex aerosol matrix while providing picogram (pg) level method detection limits (MDLs). Evidence of water solubility is important to the understanding of routes of environmental exposure and HCA fate and transport. Our results suggest a seasonal trend and consider the likelihood of these compounds originating from biomass burning.

Description:

In this study, a quantitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique capable of measuring the concentrations of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds in ambient fine aerosols (PM2.5) has been developed. Quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) MS technology is used to provide both accurate mass and MS-MS data for confirmation of chemical formula and compound structure. The fine aerosol was collected over the winter and summer seasons at an experimental monitoring station at Duke Forest in North Carolina U.S.A. 3-Hydroxypyridine, and two β-carbolines; harmane, and norharmane were observed in both campaigns at concentrations lower in summer (sum = 332 pg m-3; N = 27) than winter (554 pg m-3; N = 31). Aminopyridines, dimethylpyrazoles, and hydroxymethyl-pyridines were observed in the winter aerosols with a total estimated average concentration of 779 pg m-3. These results demonstrate the possibility of enhanced speciation and provide a first glance at heterocyclic amines in the water-soluble organic nitrogen (ON) fraction of fine aerosols collected from a forest atmosphere.

URLs/Downloads:

Record Details: