Estudio de la geoquímica orgánica de la Turbera de Las Conchas (Asturias) aplicado a la reconstrucción paleoambiental

ELos biomarcadores (n-alcanos y ácidos n-alcanoicos) presentes en el registro sedimentario de la turbera de Las Conchas (Llanes, Asturias) han permitido identificar períodos de condiciones ambientales húmedas y secas a lo largo de 8.000 años cal BP que pueden ser extrapolados al resto de Europa. Para ello, se analizaron 78 muestras a lo largo de un sondeo de 3,20 m, empleando un cromatógrafo de gases con detector selectivo de masas. Las variaciones en el contenido de biomarcadores se relacionaron con la predominancia de especies de Sphagnum (típicas de condiciones de mayor humedad) o con especies propias de condiciones más secas, como especies de Ericacea (brezos). Se sugiere que los cambios en la distribución de la vegetación están relacionados con las condiciones paleohidrológicas y paleoambientales y, de esta manera, se distinguen cinco períodos secos alternados con cinco períodos húmedos que no están necesariamente unidos a cambios en la temperatura. ABSTRACT Biomarkers (n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids) present in the sedimentary record of Las Conchas peat bog (Llanes, Asturias) allowed the identification of 5 dry and humid periods in the last 8,000 years cal BP which can be extrapolated to the rest of Europe. For this purpose, 78 samples were analyzed along a core of 3.2 m deep using a gas chromatograph equipped with a selective mass detector. Variations in the biomarker content are related to the predominance of Sphagnum species (typical of humid conditions) or other species typical of dryer conditions, such as Ericacea (heather). This suggests that changes in the distribution of the vegetation were related to palaeohydrological and palaeoenvironmental conditions and, thus, we may distinguish five dry periods alternating with five humid periods which are not necessarily linked to variations in temperature.

Development of a novel pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the analysis of poly(lactic acid) thermal degradation products

Thermal degradation of PLA is a complex process since it comprises many simultaneous reactions. The use of analytical techniques, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA), yields useful information but a more sensitive analytical technique would be necessary to identify and quantify the PLA degradation products. In this work the thermal degradation of PLA at high temperatures was studied by using a pyrolyzer coupled to a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometry detection (Py-GC/MS). Pyrolysis conditions (temperature and time) were optimized in order to obtain an adequate chromatographic separation of the compounds formed during heating. The best resolution of chromatographic peaks was obtained by pyrolyzing the material from room temperature to 600 °C during 0.5 s. These conditions allowed identifying and quantifying the major compounds produced during the PLA thermal degradation in inert atmosphere. The strategy followed to select these operation parameters was by using sequential pyrolysis based on the adaptation of mathematical models. By application of this strategy it was demonstrated that PLA is degraded at high temperatures by following a non-linear behaviour. The application of logistic and Boltzmann models leads to good fittings to the experimental results, despite the Boltzmann model provided the best approach to calculate the time at which 50% of PLA was degraded. In conclusion, the Boltzmann method can be applied as a tool for simulating the PLA thermal degradation.

Thermogravimetry and Py–GC/MS techniques as fast qualitative methods for comparing the biochemical composition of Nannochloropsis oculata samples obtained under different culture conditions

Microalgae have many applications, such as biodiesel production or food supplement. Depending on the application, the optimization of certain fractions of the biochemical composition (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) is required. Therefore, samples obtained in different culture conditions must be analyzed in order to compare the content of such fractions. Nevertheless, traditional methods necessitate lengthy analytical procedures with prolonged sample turn-around times. Results of the biochemical composition of Nannochloropsis oculata samples with different protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents obtained by conventional analytical methods have been compared to those obtained by thermogravimetry (TGA) and a Pyroprobe device connected to a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer detector (Py–GC/MS), showing a clear correlation. These results suggest a potential applicability of these techniques as fast and easy methods to qualitatively compare the biochemical composition of microalgal samples.