Detection Of Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Rapid and Simultaneous Detection of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Pesticides in Soil Based on Electronic Nose

The rapid detection of petroleum hydrocarbons and organic pesticides is an important prerequisite for precise soil management. It is also a guarantee for soil quality, environmental safety, and human health. However, the current rapid detection methods are prone to sample matrix interference, complex development processes, short lifespan, and low detection accuracy. Moreover, they face difficulties in achieving simultaneous detection of petroleum hydrocarbons and organic pesticides. In this paper, we developed an electronic nose system for the simultaneous detection of petroleum hydrocarbons and organic pesticides in soil based on gas technology, which includes a sampling module and recognition model. The developed sampling module can simultaneously acquire the odor signals of petroleum hydrocarbons and organic pesticides in soil. The established recognition model can quickly distinguish between healthy soil, soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, and soil contaminated by organic pesticides. It can also achieve specific recognition of pesticide types and petroleum types. The performance of the developed electronic nose system was verified for real soil, petroleum products, and organic pesticides. The experiment shows that the developed electronic nose system has an accuracy of 100% for three tasks: soil conditions identification, pesticide types identification, and petroleum types identification.

Development of ZrO2-Coated SPME Fibers for Detecting Benzotriazole Ultraviolet Filters in Water Samples

In this study, the zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2NPs) were coated on the surface of stainless steel (SS) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) as solid phase microextraction fiber coating for detection of the benzotriazole ultraviolet filters (BUvFs) in different real water samples. The composition and images of the new SS@ZrO2NPs fiber were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extraction capability of SS@ZrO2NPs fiber was investigated for the enrichment and detection of benzotriazole ultraviolet filters (BUvFs) phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) coupled with HPLC. The fabricated SS@ZrO2NPs fiber showed excellent extraction selectivity and good extraction capability for BUvFs. Under the optimized conditions, the SS@ZrO2NPs-SPME method presented linear ranging from 0.15 to 200 µg/L with correlation coefficients of higher than 0.9982. Moreover the limits of detection (LODs) varied from 0.020 µg/L to 0.138 µg/L. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) with single fiber were below 7.78% and 8.91% for intra-day and inter-day measurements, respectively. The developed method was used to the detection of trace BUvFs in different real water samples.

Miniaturized distillation device for detection of hydrocarbons using distillation curve principle

Abstract The objective of this study is to miniaturize the distillation apparatus to detect and analyze the composition of hydrocarbon mixtures. To achieve this, a micrometric chip measuring 150 × 100 × 6 mm3 was fabricated using a CO2 laser engraving machine. The chip, made of poly-methyl methacrylate, consists of a mini heater, condenser, and column. Its purpose is to separate hydrocarbons and determine the distillation curve of the mixtures. To assess its performance, three hydrocarbons (iso-pentane, 1-pentene, and n-hexane) were injected into the chip in different percentages ranging from 0 to 100%. These hydrocarbons were selected to represent pure, binary, and ternary compounds. The chip then analyzed the samples, and the distillation curves were obtained by plotting the boiling temperature against the percentage of condensed volume. The results of the experiments revealed that each distillation test lasted about 15 minutes. Despite the close boiling temperatures of iso-pentane and 1-pentene (27.8 and 30 °C, respectively), the chip could accurately identify the composition of different mixtures in the analyzed materials. The repeatability test demonstrated that the average standard deviation for the examined binary mixtures ranged from 1–2%, indicating the reliable reproducibility of the results. In conclusion, the miniaturized distillation chip that was fabricated can effectively analyze hydrocarbon mixtures and determine their purity.

An integrated enrichment-enhancement membrane SERS substrate for rapid detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments

This paper proposes an integrated dual-functional membrane SERS substrate Ag-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/rGO/nanocellulose (Ag-HP-β-CD/rGO/NCF), for the rapid simultaneous enrichment and detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aquatic environments. This composite membrane SERS substrate achieves high SERS activity through the synergistic electromagnetic and chemical enhancement of hybridized Ag-HP-β-CD nanoparticles and rGO nanosheets. The Ag-HP-β-CD/rGO hybrid structure is then firmly anchored within a robust three-dimensional NCF framework, ensuring structural stability and signal uniformity. Furthermore, by combining the integrated membrane SERS substrate with a filtration device, target PAHs can be efficiently captured and enriched, leveraging the affinity interactions of HP-β-CD and the enrichment effect of delocalized π-electron system of rGO nanosheets, without complicated pretreatment of PAHs in water. Moreover, the performance of the SERS substrate is evaluated using pyrene as a probe molecule, demonstrating excellent uniformity (RSD 5.63 %), reproducibility (RSD 6.62 %) and time stability (RSD 4.81 % @ 10 min). Only one filtration is required to effectively enrich typical PAHs in aquatic environments, pyrene and fluoranthene, with detection limits as low as 9.89 μg/L and 11.21 μg/L respectively, and the entire enrichment and detection process can be completed within 15 min. The high-efficiency SERS platform promises on-site monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic environments.

Binding properties of olfactory proteins to host volatiles, free fatty acids and cuticular hydrocarbons in the termite Reticulitermes aculabialis

As eusocial insects prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, termites are characterized by highly organized behaviors and exceptional adaptability, rooted in caste differentiation and chemical communication. These traits make them excellent models for studying insect social structures and ecological interactions. Investigating how termites use chemical signals to perceive and respond to their environment provides insights into their coordination and adaptation within complex ecosystems. This study delved into the chemosensory mechanisms of Reticulitermes aculabialis, examining the interactions of four olfactory proteins with 70 ligands, including host volatiles, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), and free fatty acids (FFAs). Molecular docking simulations revealed varied affinities of the olfactory proteins for long-chain hydrocarbons (n-C23 to n-C28), suggesting a nuanced chemical communication system through specific hydrocarbon detection. RacuCSP1 and RacuCSP2 exhibited specific binding to linoleic acid and undecanoic acid, respectively, highlighting the significance of FFAs in the physiological and behavioral processes of termites. The four olfactory proteins showed a strong affinity for longifolene in fluorescence competitive binding experiments. Notably, RacuOBPs exhibited unique affinities for terpenoid volatiles such as β-lonone and neocembrene, while RacuCSPs specifically bound with terpenoids like 3-carene, myrtenol, α-pinene oxide and β-pinene indicating their critical roles in host detection. Behavioral observations following gene silencing revealed that RacuOBP5 was essential for recognizing longifolene and α-lonone recognition, while RacuCSP1 was key for detecting α-pinene in termites. These findings enhance our understanding of the termite chemosensory system and offer insights for developing precise pest management strategies.

Enhanced analysis of PAHs in tea using GC–MS/MS with hydrogen carrier gas

A green multiresidue method for PAH analysis was developed using hydrogen as the carrier gas, avoiding harmful solvents and integrating waste-reducing strategies such as µSPE. The use of hydrogen carrier gas in gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) was explored for the enhanced detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in black tea. The study demonstrated that hydrogen, as a carrier gas, offers better chromatographic properties than helium or nitrogen. This leads to improved separation of critical pairs using a short run time method. A fast extraction method using micro solid-phase extraction (µSPE) as a clean-up step was developed to analyze 24 PAHs. The extraction method was optimized using a 4 mL 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and acetone. The method was validated and demonstrated good recoveries, ranging from 73 % to 113 % for most PAHs, with lower recoveries (50–63 %) observed for high molecular weight PAHs. Reproducibility was also high, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values below 15 %. Linearity and matrix effects were also evaluated, yielding excellent results, with no PAH exhibiting strong matrix effects. Real sample analysis of black tea from various brands and origins revealed the presence of multiple PAHs with concentrations ranging 9.5–39.2 µg/Kg, some exceeding the maximum residue levels set by the European Union. These findings highlight the need for efficient methodologies to monitor PAHs in food products.

Retraction Note: Gas chimney and hydrocarbon detection using combined BBO and artificial neural network with hybrid seismic attributes

Retraction Note: Gas chimney and hydrocarbon detection using combined BBO and artificial neural network with hybrid seismic attributes

Comparative transcriptomics and phylostratigraphy of Argentine ant odorant receptors.

Nestmate recognition in ants is regulated through the detection of cuticular hydrocarbons by odorant receptors (ORs) in the antennae. These ORs are crucial for maintaining colony cohesion that allows invasive ant species to dominate colonized environments. In the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, ORs regulating nestmate recognition are thought to be present in a clade of nine-exon odorant receptors, but the identity of the specific genes remains unknown. We sought to narrow down the list of candidate genes using transcriptomics and phylostratigraphy. Comparative transcriptomic analyses were conducted on the antennae, head, thorax, and legs of Argentine ant workers. We have identified a set of twenty-one nine-exon odorant receptors enriched in the antennae compared to the other tissues, allowing for downstream verification of whether they can detect Argentine ant cuticular hydrocarbons. Further investigation of these ORs could allow us to further understand the mechanisms underlying nestmate recognition and colony cohesion in ants.

First direct detection of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on asteroid (162173) Ryugu samples: An interstellar heritage

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered major players in the physics and chemistry of star‐ and planet‐forming regions. The interstellar PAH hypothesis is based on our understanding of the origin of the aromatic infrared bands (AIBs), a set of bright emission features that are now the focus of observations by the James Webb telescope. While AIB carriers are expected to be large free PAHs (50 carbon atoms or more), laboratory analysis of primitive carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) has mainly revealed relatively small PAHs, up to 24 carbon atoms. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of aromatic species in bulk samples from the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu using a surface mass spectrometry technique provided by two‐step laser desorption ionization. The resulting molecular distribution differs significantly from that obtained for a sample from the CC Orgueil, revealing aromatic species extending up to 61 carbon atoms. The species identified are composed of both peri‐condensed PAHs and non‐condensed aromatics. These results directly support the interstellar PAH hypothesis and open up new perspectives on the formation and evolution of organic matter in star‐forming regions and in the solar nebula.Key Points First direct detection of free aromatic species of large sizes with up to 61 carbon atoms in primitive extraterrestrial matter by applying a highly sensitive two‐step laser mass spectrometry analysis to grain samples from the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu (Hayabusa2 mission). First direct support for the interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) hypothesis, according to which large free PAHs are responsible for the aromatic emission bands that are major infrared features currently observed by the James Webb Space Telescope. The large aromatic species detected are present in trace amounts and future research is needed to develop sensitive techniques for studying these compounds in sample return missions and meteorites.

Enrichment and detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in tea and coffee using phenyl-functionalized NiFe2O4@Ti3C2TX based magnetic solid-phase extraction

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly found in various environmental matrices and have received significant attention due to their toxic effects on ecosystems and environmental health. In this study, a specific magnetic composite material derived from MXene, known as phenyl-functionalized NiFe2O4@Ti3C2TX, was designed and synthesized using a simple method. This composite material was used to develop an effective magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method for enriching trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tea and coffee samples. The eluted PAHs were analyzed via gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Under optimal conditions, this method exhibited excellent linear relationships for 16 PAHs within the ranges of 0.001–25 and 0.0005–25 μg/L, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.9979. The limits of detection for the target PAHs ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 ng/L. The effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated by analyzing tea and coffee samples, and the satisfactory spiked recoveries of PAHs ranged from 84.5% to 112.6%.

Rapid Detection of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil Using Advanced Fluorescence Imaging Techniques.

Chemical methods for measuring soil organic content are often slow and yield inaccurate results due to significant errors. Simple summation of components may not accurately determine total organic content. In contrast, fluorescence imaging techniques offer rapid, in situ monitoring without complex pretreatment and demonstrate rapid and accurate assessment of soil organic content. Utilizing a soil organic pollutant fluorescence imaging in situ monitoring system that we independently developed, we conducted laboratory experiments to explore methods for acquiring fluorescence signals of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and extracting image features. We used this monitoring system to obtain fluorescence images of crude oil in standard soil (soil properties are shown in Table S1) samples at concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 g/kg, and the coefficient of determination of the total amount inversion model reached 0.999. Simultaneously, we applied the system to a deserted petroleum storage area, and the relative standard deviation values of 16 of the 18 groups of tests were less than 1%, indicating that the monitoring system is highly stable when applied in the field. This study provides both theoretical foundation and technical support for the rapid and nondestructive detection of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil at field sites.

Gypsum ridges as conduits for deep methane emission in an evaporite basin– Insights into the origin of atmospheric methane on Mars

The origin of atmospheric methane on Mars is attracting much attention because of its possible biological origin. We report the first detection of methane-dominated hydrocarbons trapped between the {010} cleavage planes of gypsum megacrysts from the evaporative Qaidam Basin, in the northern Tibetan Plateau. The gypsum makes ridges of kilometers long, tens of meters wide, and high that are deposited from deep circulated brine and later exhumed to the surface by wind erosion. The δ13C of methane (-33.3 ± 4.1 ‰), high CO2/CH4 ratio but low C1/(C2+C3) ratio indicate their thermogenic sources. These gypsum ridges are formed on intrabasin salt domes and form conduits for the volatile hydrocarbons to diffuse upward and escape into the atmosphere. We suggest the atmospheric methane on Mars is also derived from the deep basins and is emitted by the same pathway since the gypsum ridges/seams/veins in the Qaidam Basin show striking similarities to the irregular polygonal ridge networks and veins on Mars.

Recent Advances in Sample Preparation and Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric Techniques for Detecting Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Edible Oils: 2010 to Present.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are considered to be potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic to humans. For non-smoking populations, food is the main source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure. Due to their lipophilic nature, oils and fats rank among the food items with the highest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content. Consequently, the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible oils is critical for the promotion of human health. This paper reviews sample pretreatment methods, such as liquid-phase-based extraction methods, adsorbent-based extraction methods, and the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method, combined with detection techniques like mass spectrometry and chromatography-based techniques for accurate quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible oils since 2010. An overview on the advances of the methods discussed herein, along with a commentary addition of current challenges and prospects, will guide researchers to focus on developing more effective detection methods and control measures to reduce the potential risks and hazards posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

A comparative study on hydrocarbon detection using cepstrum–based methods

Amplitude anomaly caused by a high–frequency component is attenuated more rapidly than a low–frequency component for a seismic trace in sediments susceptible to gas influence and is always used as a direct indicator of hydrocarbons. Recently, cepstrum–based hydrocarbon detection methods have become an important exploration pathway for detecting amplitude anomalies in the gas–bearing formation more sensitively and accurately. In this study, we compared three cepstrum–based hydrocarbon detection methods. We compared their fluid identification abilities in gas reservoirs and the noise robustness. They were further compared with the traditional absorption coefficient estimation method. We also indicate how the choice of the selection of the sliding–window length influences the performance of the three cepstrum–based hydrocarbon detection methods. Model test results and real data applications show that for thick gas reservoirs, the hydrocarbon detection methods using the Berthil–based cepstrum and the wavelet–based cepstrum can better discriminate the upper and lower interfaces than the hydrocarbon detection method using the Fourier–based cepstrum. For thin gas reservoirs, the hydrocarbon detection method using the wavelet–based cepstrum can identify the lower interface of the gas–bearing reservoir more obviously than the upper interface. The hydrocarbon detection method using the Berthil cepstrum cannot identify the upper and lower interfaces of the gas–bearing reservoir, but it shows higher temporal and spatial resolution compared to the hydrocarbon detection method using the Fourier–based cepstrum. For noise robustness, the hydrocarbon detection method using the wavelet–based cepstrum has the strongest noise robustness property, and the hydrocarbon detection method using the Fourier–based cepstrum is the most sensitive method to the noise. For time–consumption, the hydrocarbon detection method using the wavelet–based cepstrum is the most time–consuming, and the hydrocarbon detection method using the Fourier–based cepstrum is the fastest.

Optofluidic SERS based on Ag nanocubes with high sensitivity for detecting a prevalent water pollutant.

To enhance the integration and practical applicability of the Raman detection system, silver nanocubes (Ag NCs) were synthesized using a polyol method. A liquid-liquid interface approach was employed to transfer a monolayer of Ag NCs "film" onto a SiO2 substrate, resulting in the fabrication of a highly sensitive and uniform surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate denoted as "Ag NCs@SiO2." The electromagnetic field distribution of various dimers on the Ag NCs@SiO2 was analyzed using finite difference time domain (FDTD) software. The results reveal that the electromagnetic enhancement effect is most pronounced in cube-cube dimers, indicating that Ag NCs exhibit superior localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) response due to their well-defined geometric regularity and sharp geometric angles. For Rhodamine 6G (R6G) probe molecules, the Ag NCs@SiO2 shows ultrahigh sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10-12 mol/L, and the enhancement factor (EF) can reach 1.4 × 1010. The relative standard deviation (RSD) at the main characteristic peaks is below 10%, demonstrating good consistency in substrate performance. In addition, the Ag NCs@SiO2 modified with hexanethiol exhibits high sensitivity, uniformity, and repeatability in detecting for pyrene, with the LOD of 10-8 mol/L and a minimum RSD of 6.09% at the main characteristic peak, and effective recognition capabilities for pyrene and anthracene in mixed solutions. Finally, chemisorption and physisorption strategies were prepared in optofluidic channels and experimentally compared, enabling real-time detection of the pyrene solution. This method can achieve a rapid detection and precise differentiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a water pollutant.

Theoretical assessment of influential factors and application in chlorinated hydrocarbon detection with membrane interface probe

The membrane interface probe (MIP) is an efficient and economical in-situ tool for chlorinated hydrocarbon (CH) contaminated site investigation. Given that the interpretation of MIP test is currently limited to a qualitative level, a theoretical model considering multiphase flow and multifield coupling is firstly proposed to simulate MIP test process. This model can consider phase change, membrane effect, adsorption and dissolution of the CH liquid, gas diffusion, and evaporation. Then, the model is used to study the changes in soil temperature and soil CH concentration during MIP test, as well as the influences of soil CH concentration and soil properties (initial water saturation, soil intrinsic permeability, and thermal properties) on MIP response. Finally, a simplified MIP interpretation model is developed based on parametric analysis results and verified against field and laboratory test data. It is found that the soil CH concentration, rather than soil properties, dominates the MIP response. The simplified interpretation model can deliver practical prediction of the CH concentration through the detected results by MIP, which may improve the applicability of MIP.

Correction of the Effect of Humic Acids on the Fluorescence Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Combination Spectroscopy.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed in soil and water, but fluorescence spectroscopy for PAHs is often interfered with organic matter in the environment. The aim of this paper is to evaluate a correction method using combined spectral technology in an environment where humic acids and PAHs coexist. In the present work, humic acids and benzo[ghi]perylene were analyzed in various concentrations using fluorescence and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy from single and mixed samples. The NIR prediction model of humic acids in mixed samples was established based on synergy interval partial least squares, and the standard curve of fluorescence spectra for humic acids was established at 478 nm (characteristic wavelength of benzo[ghi]perylene). The fluorescence intensity of humic acids in the mixed sample was predicted from the content derived from the NIR spectra. The final correction was carried out by their exclusion from the fluorescence of the mixture at the same wavelength. The corrected fluorescence intensity was linearly correlated with the concentration of benzo[ghi]perylene with R2 = 0.8362, while R2 = 0.3538 before correction. These results give a new insight into the calibration modeling of the combined spectral method.

Covalent organic framework modified magnetic MXene for high enrichment and sensitive detection of polycyclic and sulfur-containing heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Chinese tea samples

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and sulfur-containing heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PASHs) are typical organic pollutants that are commonly present in the environment. Due to the continuous accumulation and transfer in the food chain, they will pose a significant threat to human life and health. In the present work, a new method was constructed with a ternary magnetic nanocomposite (Fe0@MXene@COF-LZU1) based magnetic solid phase extraction in combination with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for sensitive determination of them at trace level in Chinese tea samples. The magnetic nanomaterial Fe0@MXene@COF-LZU1 was synthesized via reduction and Schiff base reactions. The experimental results demonstrated that Fe0@MXene@COF-LZU1 had high adsorption ability and satisfactory chemical stability. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the method possessed good linearity in the concentration ranges of 0.0005 μgL−1 - 50 μg L−1 for dibenzothiophene (DBT), phenanthrene (PHE), fluoranthene (FLT) and pyrene (PYR), and 0.001 μg L−1 - 50 μg L−1 for 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT). The detection limits of this method were in the range of 0.014 ng L−1-0.83 ng L−1. The results of real samples demonstrated that the designed magnetic nanocomposite had a promising application prospect for measuring PAHs and PASHs.

Allosteric-Regulation-Based DNA Circuits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Detect Organic Acids and Monitor Hydrocarbon Metabolism In Vitro.

We show the engineering of prokaryotic-transcription-factor-based biosensing devices in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells for an in vitro detection of common hydrocarbon intermediates/metabolites and potentially, for monitoring of the metabolism of carbon compounds. We employed the bacterial receptor proteins MarR (multiple antibiotic-resistant receptor) and PdhR (pyruvate dehydrogenase-complex regulator) to detect benzoate/salicylate and pyruvate, respectively. The yeast-enhanced green fluorescence protein (yEGFP) was adopted as an output signal. Indeed, the engineered yeast strains showed a strong and dynamic fluorescent output signal in the presence of the input chemicals ranging from 2 fM up to 5mM. In addition, we describe how to make use of these strains to assess over time the metabolism of complex hydrocarbon compounds due to the hydrocarbon-degrading fungus Trichoderma harzianum (KY488463).

Sunlight light-driven degradation of anthracene and naphthalene on robust Cu2+doped ZnO nanoparticles from simulated rainwater: optimization factors, kinetics, and reusability

This research investigated the detection and removal of priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from metropolitan rainwater runoff through photocatalytic degradation.