Where Does Toluene Come From? - Petrogenic Families and Biogenic Loners, Watertech, 2017
The seasonal accumulation of toluene by microbiological processes within specific wetland environments is a locally-recognized, but little understood, process. It has not been documented within the peer-reviewed literature. Currently, there is no legally defensible method of distinguishing the origin of toluene in environmental samples. The presence of biogenic toluene can confound environmental investigations relating to petroleum releases within wetland environments, which comprise a large area of northern Alberta as well as other provinces. This presentation discusses the results from the application of an established ASTM method, which is already accepted for arson analysis, for the investigation of the origin of toluene in wetland peat samples. The analytical method and environmental forensic data interpretation are capable of readily distinguishing biogenic and petrogenic origins of toluene in a legally-defensible manner. This is conducted by using plant biomarker chemistry to identify natural toluene sources, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fingerprints and diagnostic ratios, which are possible due to substantially improved detection limits compared with conventional BTEX analysis. Environmental professionals involved in spill remediation or site monitoring will find this presentation applicable.
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Where Does Toluene Come From? - Petrogenic Families and Biogenic Loners, Watertech, 2017
- 2. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Biogenic Toluene? Are you sure? 2Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners Sample B T E X F1 F2 F3 F4 1 ND 0.297 ND ND ND ND 1300 ND 2 ND 0.116 ND ND ND ND 780 ND 3 ND 0.439 ND ND ND 81 870 ND 4 ND 0.090 ND ND ND 290 2300 800 5 ND 0.182 ND ND ND ND 1400 ND 6 ND 0.262 ND ND ND ND 1300 ND 7 ND 0.015 ND ND ND ND 1000 ND 0.078 0.120 0.210 28 210 150 300 2800AB T1 – Coarse, Surface, Natural Areas Example from poor bog (i1)
- 4. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Biogenic Toluene? Are you sure? 4 • Not discussed in peer-reviewed literature • Formation mechanism not understood • Observed by standard analytical methods • But no legally-defensible method for demonstration of origin Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners
- 6. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Biogenic Toluene? Are you sure? 6 Method already well described. • Arson investigation for ‘ignitable liquids’ • ASTM method • AGAT is the forensic laboratory for arson analysis for Govt of AB, and AB Forestry. Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners
- 14. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Decomposition Pathways 14Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners pinene p-cymene toluene phenylalanine phenylacetate toluene An amino acid A terpene
- 17. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Diagnostic Groups - BTEX 17 A standard forensic method for analysis of VOCs is the ratio of BTEX. Six closely related chemicals. In petroleum all 6 may be present. In natural wetlands only 1 is present. benzene ethylbenzene xylenes (3) Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners toluene
- 19. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Diagnostic Groups – The Cymenes 19 p-cymeneo-cymene m-cymene Three closely related chemicals. In petroleum all 3 are present. In natural wetlands only 1 is present. Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners
- 29. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. Seasonality? 29Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045 0.05 May July August September October Toluene Concentra-on (mg/L) Site 2 – a poor fen (j1). Strong seasonality in water samples. •Production or movement?
- 31. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. 31 Conclusions Natural toluene concentrations are present in peat samples. • Highly specific pattern of chemicals. • Clear diagnostic ratios. Wetland environment correlates with likely formation mechanisms. Likely seasonality effects as well as ecosite type. Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners
- 32. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. 32 Thank You Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners Look out for the paper soon… Forensic source attribution for toluene in environmental samples
- 33. © 2017 Chemistry Matters Inc. 33 Thank You Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners Where does toluene come from? Petrogenic families and biogenic loners Contact Info: Chemistry Matters Inc. Court Sandau Office: 403.669.5053 URL: chemistry-matters.com Twitter: @Chem_Matters LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/courtsandau Slideshare: slideshare.net/csandau