Measurement of methylamines in seawater using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography

Cree, C, Airs, RL, Archer, SD and Fitzsimons, MF 2018 Measurement of methylamines in seawater using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 16 (7). 411-420. https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10255

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Abstract/Summary

The methylamines form part of the marine organic nitrogen pool. Although they are ubiquitous in marine systems, little is known about their distribution, production and fate in the marine environment. Analytical methods have been developed for their analysis in marine waters, but these have employed custom-made apparatus, limiting data to a few studies. Here, we report a method developed for the determination of methylamines in seawater which combines headspace solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography with selective nitrogen detection. Gaseous methylamines were pre-concentrated from water samples (approximately 1 L) heated to 60 oC, onto a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene SPME fibre located in the headspace of the extraction flask. The analytes were then thermally desorbed from the fibre in a gas chromatograph containing a CP-Volamine column and a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The method was routinely calibrated down to 1 nM for all three analytes using matrix-matched external standards. Limits of detection were determined operationally and ranged from 0.4-2.9 nM during two sampling campaigns. The analytes were detected in seawater samples from the English Channel and Southern Ocean where concentrations up to 20 and 5.6 nM were measured, respectively, consistent with previously reported levels. We propose this method for the analysis of methylamines, and other low molecular weight amines, as it is sensitive, robust, and the necessary equipment is widely-available.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Solid phase microextraction; methylamines; marine; methylated amines
Subjects:	Chemistry Marine Sciences
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > National Capability categories > Western Channel Observatory Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Marine Biochemistry and Observations
Depositing User:	Ruth Airs
Date made live:	15 Jun 2018 11:20
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2020 09:59
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/7926

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