Abstract
The degradation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) has been characterized in selected biodiesels exposed to sunlight and seawater, and markers are identified that can be used to match a weathered biodiesel spill to its source. Samples of one synthetic and three commercial biodiesels were subjected to a regime of controlled weathering for 71 days. Experiments were designed to promote photo-oxidation, biodegradation or a combination of both processes. The FAME compositions of the biodiesels were measured by GC-MS at various times. Unsaturated FAMEs were preferentially degraded by photo-oxidation. Saturated C16 and C18 FAMEs were the most persistent compounds. The diagnostic ratio C16:0/(C16:0 + C18:0), calculated from the peak area of the total ion chromatograms (TICs), varied by less than 2% (RSD) during 71 days of weathering and could be used to distinguish among the biodiesels studied.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2677-2683 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Fuel |
| Volume | 90 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright:Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Biodegradation of biodiesel
- Biodiesel
- Gas chromatography mass spectrometry
- Oil spills
- Photo-oxidation of biodiesel
