CAOG - PhD Students

Mrs Christiane Vitzthum von Eckstaedt

Sourcing volatile organics in industrial emissions by compound specific isotope analysis

The ratio of the stable isotopes 13C to 12C or D to H of an individual organic compound reflects its origin(s) and can be measured in a complex mixture with a gas chromatography-isotope ratio monitoring mass spectrometer (GC-ir-MS). The use of thermal desorption linked to a GC-ir-MS to determine 13C/12C of VOCs in airborne samples has been developed by Curtin University (Turner et al. 2006). This method can be used to determine the contribution of source(s) of VOCs, and therefore track the fate of the VOC from its source to its deposition. D/H of VOCs by GC-ir-MS should show even greater differences because the largest mass difference of all the stable isotopes is between H and D. A 2-pronged stable isotope approach and principle component analysis will be developed to assess sources of VOCs and PAHs in different types of samples (e.g. industrial emissions, petroleum emissions and bush/forest fires).

Supervisor

Professor K. Grice

Co-Supervisor

Professor K. Grice, Dr Marisa Ioppolo Armanios (Alcoa)

Funding

CRC-CARE, CIRTS

TIGER top-up

Contact Details

Department of Applied Chemistry
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1987
Perth WA 6845
Australia