What is the seasonal variation of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Antarctic ice cores and how is it analyzed?
Label:chem
Topic
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an ultrashort chain perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) that has gained attention due to its environmental persistence, stability, and mobility. It is primarily formed as an end product of atmospheric degradation of halogenated refrigerants and blowing agents, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and unsaturated HFCs (u-HFCs). Understanding its seasonal variation in Antarctic ice cores can provide insights into its long-range atmospheric transport and deposition in remote polar regions.
Answer
The study presents the first seasonal record of TFA in Antarctic ice cores, revealing that TFA concentrations increased by 5.8% per year from 2011 to 2021. TFA peaks were observed in September–November, suggesting that polar vortex weakening affects deposition. The analysis was performed using a new non-suppressed ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nsIC-MS/MS) method, which offers low detection limits, excellent repeatability, and high sensitivity. The method allows for direct injection of ice core samples, eliminating the need for extensive sample preconcentration or complex derivatization steps.
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