Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons in Australian groundwater through the improvised Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection technique
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2017
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Faustorilla, M.V.
Chen, Z.
Dharmarajan, R.
Naidu, R.
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Journal of Chromatographic Science, 2017; 55(8):775-783
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Assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) from contaminated sites demands routine and reliable measurement at trace levels. However, the detection limits of these methods need to be improved. This study developed the Programmable Temperature Vaporization–Large Volume Injection (PTV-LVI) method to quantify TPHs through Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC–FID). This configuration enhances the method sensitivity for trace level detections through large volume injections and pre-concentration of analytes along the injection liner. The method was evaluated for the three commonly observed hydrocarbon fractions: C₁₀-C₁₄, C₁₅-C₂₈ and C₂₉-C₃₆. In comparison with conventional injection methods (splitless and pulsed splitless), PTV–LVI showed R2 values >0.999 with enhanced LOD and LOQ values. The method was applied to real samples for routine environmental monitoring of TPHs in an Australian contaminated site characterized by refuelling station. Analysis of groundwater samples in the area showed a wide range of TPH concentrations as follows: 66–1546000 (C₁₀-C₁₄), 216–22762 (C₁₅-C₂₈) and 105-2103 (C₂₉-C₃₆) µg/L. This method has detected trace levels, thereby measuring a wider concentration range of TPHs. These more accurate measurements can lead to the appropriate application of risk assessments and remediation techniques.
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Copyright 2017 Oxford University Press
Access Condition Notes: Postprint available after 1 July 2018