Use of compound-specific δ13C and δD stable isotope measurements as an aid in the source apportionment of polyaromatic hydrocarbons

The potential of using compound-specific stable carbon isotopic analysis for the source apportionment of environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has already been demonstrated by the authors, and other researchers. PAHs arising from wood burning and vehicle emissions have been shown to exhibit different isotopic signatures, and the isotopic compositions of n-alkanes and PAHs produced from combustion Of C-3 and C-4 Plant species have been reported. C-13/C-12 isotopic ratios for PAHs derived from coal and wood pyrolysis and from diesel particulates have been noted to vary over a range by ca. 8parts per thousand, which may provide a basis for source apportionment. In order to further improve the ability of stable isotope measurements to source apportion environmental PAHs, hydrogen stable isotopes (deltaD) of PAHs from a number of processes have been measured. The wide range of deltaD values, in conjunction with the delta(13)C values obtained, provide a much greater degree of differentiation between petrol and jet fuel derived PAHs, and between PAHs from different coal conversion processes, than the delta(13)C values alone. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.