Development of a gas chromatography - mass spectrometry method for the determination of carbon disulfide in the atmosphere

Abstract

[EN] Carbon disulfide (CS2), a relevant reduced sulfur compound in air, is well-known for its malodor and its significant effect on global atmospheric chemistry. Therefore, a reliable method for determining CS2 in atmospheric samples has been developed based on solid-phase sampling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two types of solid-phase sampling supports (Orbo-32 and SKC) and the elution with organic solvents - hexane and toluene - were evaluated for low-volume outdoor sampling. Recovery studies and the standard addition method were carried out to demonstrate the proper determination of CS2 in the absence of the influence of interferences such as ozone, hydrogen sulfide or water - important atmospheric pollutants. The proposed methodology was validated by performing experiments in a high-volume smog chamber and by comparison with two reference optical methods, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) installed in these facilities. Satisfactory analytical parameters were reported: fast analysis, a correct repeatability of 6±1% and reproducibility of 14±3%, and low detection limits of 0.3-0.9pgm-3. Finally, the method was successfully applied to industrial samples near a pulp factory area, where a high correlation between industrial emissions and reported carbon disulfide concentrations were observed. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.