| Title: | Assessing the organic composition of urban surface films using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| Author(s): | Simpson AJ; Lam B; Diamond ML; Donaldson DJ; Lefebvre BA; Moser AQ; Williams AJ; Larin NI; Kvasha MP; |
| Address: | "Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ont., Canada M1C 1A4. andre.simpson@utoronto.ca" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.07.013 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0045-6535 (Print) 0045-6535 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Recently it has been shown that urban surfaces are covered with a thin film which mediates the fate, distribution and accumulation of semi-volatile organic compounds in the environment. In this study we apply a combination of solution, semi-solids, and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to provide a general overview of the organic constituents. In surface film collected from 30 m2 of outside windows over an area of 12 km2 in downtown Toronto, we roughly estimate that the organic carbon is approximately 35% carbohydrate, approximately 35% aliphatics, approximately 20% aromatics, and approximately 10% carbonyl groups. Various aliphatic groups can be identified including a number of acids, alcohols, alkanes, and alkenes. Also, numerous intact aliphatic esters are apparent that have not been observed before, as well as carbohydrates. The aromatic species include a small portion that appears to be derived from a polymer of styrene, in addition a larger fraction is consistent with polyhydroxylated PAH derived material, although this assignment is tentative and based solely on 1-D NMR data only. In addition, signals from polybutadiene are present and while accurate quantification is not possible, it appears that this polymer may be up to a few percents by weight of the total organic material" |
| Keywords: | *Air Pollutants/analysis/toxicity Carbohydrates/analysis Cities Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/*methods Organic Chemicals/*analysis Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis Risk Assessment; |
| Notes: | "MedlineSimpson, Andre J Lam, Buuan Diamond, Miriam L Donaldson, D James Lefebvre, Brent A Moser, Arvin Q Williams, Antony J Larin, Nicolay I Kvasha, Mikhail P eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2005/10/11 Chemosphere. 2006 Mar; 63(1):142-52. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.07.013. Epub 2005 Oct 5" |
