Overview: 

Research in Dr. Klein’s group focuses on the analysis of complex mixtures such as natural organic matter (NOM, marine or terrestrial), biological systems, atmospheric particulate matter, as well as petroleum derived materials.  Research focuses on exploring efficient ways of targeting and examining specific components within these complex sample matrices. 

One particular area of interest is the study of biomarkers found in petroleum derived materials.  Biomarkers are crude oil components that have survived the diagenesis process and are present at higher concentrations because they did not undergo the random degradation processes typical constituents suffer.  These biomarkers enable geochemists to relate crude oils to their parent kerogen and, thus, draw conclusions about the origin of a crude oil, its genesis, and migration.  Some biomarkers undergo slight degradation but still carry obvious remnants of the original structural features of their biogenic parent material.  An examination into the degradation of porphyrins (known biomarkers of source rock material) could lead to a better understanding of the fundamental formation of petroleum constituents during diagenesis.  These porphyrins and other biomarkers such as carboxylic acids can be routinely analyzed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC MS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) or with Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) in collaboration with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. 

Students will leave the research group with knowledge and experience of a variety of analytical instruments advantageous to those applying to graduate schools or going into the industrial job market. 

 

 

Project 2:  Detection of Amino Acid Content by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Research has provided minimal amounts of literature in the area of detection and quantification of amino acids (AAs) within various species of deer.  This project describes a procedure for derivatization, separation, and quantification of amino acids by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).  The multifunctional aspect of amino acids makes them difficult to analyze by a single technique.  Detection and analysis by GC-MS can be facilitated by derivatization of the amino acids with N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluroacetemide in the presence of a catalyst.  All 20 Amino Acids will be investigated and quantified by GC-MS. 

Students will obtain valuable skills on the GC-MS instrument as well as skills in the extraction and purification of amino acids from various species.

Project 1:  Analysis of Petroporphryins

One particular area of interest is the study of biomarkers (petroporphyrins) found in petroleum derived materials.  Petroporphyrins are crude oil components that have survived the diagenesis process and are present at higher concentrations because they did not undergo the random degradation processes typical constituents suffer.  These biomarkers enable geochemists to relate crude oils to their parent kerogen and, thus, draw conclusions about the origin of a crude oil, its genesis, and migration.  Some biomarkers undergo slight degradation but still carry obvious remnants of the original structural features of their biogenic parent material. 

Students will get hands on experience separating the petroporphyrins from the crude oils using open-column chromatography.  These petroporphyrins will then be analyzed using both FT-IR, NMR and mass spectrometry.  All of these instruments are widely used in all fields of science including chemistry, biology and environmental science.