How do you identify polycyclic aromatic compounds?
By definition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have multiple cycles, precluding benzene from being considered a PAH. Some sources, such as the US EPA and CDC, consider naphthalene to be the simplest PAH. Other authors consider PAHs to start with the tricyclic species phenanthrene and anthracene.
Which detector is used for analysis of PAH?
Both UV and fluorescence detectors can be used for the determination of PAHs.
How is a compound classified as a PAH?
PAHs are a large group of organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic (benzene) rings (2). Low-molecular-weight PAHs (two and three rings) occur in the atmosphere predominantly in the vapour phase, whereas multi-ringed PAHs (five rings or more) are largely bound to particles.
How do you test for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons?
Non-biological techniques for the detection of PAHs
- IR spectroscopy. The qualitative aspect of infrared spectroscopy is to determine the functional groups of molecules in the sample.
- Raman spectroscopy.
- Fluorescence spectroscopy.
- Liquid chromatography.
- Gas chromatography.
- High-performance liquid chromatography.
Where is PAH found?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline. They also are produced when coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned. PAHs generated from these sources can bind to or form small particles in the air.
How are PAHs formed?
PAHs can be formed both during biological processes and as products of incomplete combustion from either natural combustion sources (forest and brush fires) or man-made combustion sources (automobile emissions and cigarette smoke). Thus, PAHs are commonly detected in air, soil, and water.
Where do polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons come from?
How do you test aromatic content?
The total aromatic content is determined by measuring the peak area of C6 to C10+ aromatics with boiling points less than 270 degrees centigrade (°C) as compared to the total area of the chromatogram.
What elements are found in PAH?
PAHs consist of two or more fused aromatic rings. They predominantly consist of carbon or hydrogen but may also contain oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. When PAHs contain these other elements, they are called heterocyclic PAHs, but these a rarely measured or reported in most routine PAH studies.
What chemicals are PAHs?