The isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen during illicit production of cocaine base in South America
| Autor: | Laura M. Jones, David R. Morello, Jennifer R. Mallette, John F. Casale |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
δ18O
chemistry.chemical_element Fractionation Chemical Fractionation Oxygen Isotopes 01 natural sciences Mass Spectrometry Pathology and Forensic Medicine 03 medical and health sciences chemistry.chemical_compound 0302 clinical medicine Cocaine Isotopes Humans 030216 legal & forensic medicine Drug Trafficking Isotope-ratio mass spectrometry Carbon Isotopes Nitrogen Isotopes Isotope Stable isotope ratio 010401 analytical chemistry Sulfuric acid South America Nitrogen Equilibrium fractionation 0104 chemical sciences chemistry Environmental chemistry Law Hydrogen |
| Zdroj: | Forensic Science International. 270:255-260 |
| ISSN: | 0379-0738 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.10.016 |
| Popis: | Stable isotope measurements have become a key component in sourcing the origin of illicit cocaine seized within the United States. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the process by which isotopes may be fractionated during illicit cocaine processing. In a controlled observational study, there was apparent isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. To investigate the potential source of the fractionation, cocaine base was fractionally precipitated from a dilute sulfuric acid solution with dilute ammonium hydroxide. The values of δ13C, δ15N, δ2H, and δ18O for each fraction were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). There was an equilibrium fractionation observed in all measured stable isotopes. Early fractions were depleted, and later fractions were enriched, with 15N and 2H being the most affected. The described trend is opposite of the Rayleigh distillation observed for cocaine hydrochloride precipitation. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
Full Text from ScienceDirect