Novel Methodology for Analysis of PAHs in Water by High Capacity Sorptive Extraction and TD-GC-MSDrinking Water
Poster Presentation
Presented by L. Hearn
Prepared by H. Calder, R. Cole
Markes International, 1000B Central Park, Western Avenue, Bridgend, (State/Province), CF31 3RT, United Kingdom
Contact Information: [email protected]; 01443230935
ABSTRACT
As a group of compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent environmental contaminants known for their toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenic properties. Due to this these compounds are regulated and monitored across the globe. Major sources of PAHs include industrial activities, fossil fuel and waste combustion, vehicle emissions, and natural events such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions. Whilst the majority of these sources result in atmospheric emissions, once released into the atmosphere PAHs find their way into water through deposition and sub-sequent runoff after rainfall.
Methods for quantifying PAHs in water samples are typically be based around high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC) methods depending on the objectives of the measurements. In this study a method was developed for GC analysis which avoids the need for sample preparation using liquid-liquid extraction. PAHs in a variety of water matrices were extracted using HiSorb high-capacity sorptive extraction (HCSE) probes, followed by two-stage thermal desorption (TD) with separation and detection by GC—MS.
HCSE offer a straightforward sample preparation workflow which comprises of the sample (18 mL) being pipetted into an industry standard headspace vial, an internal standard solution (deuterated PAHs) being added and then sealing the vial. Once prepared the samples are loaded on to an auto-sampler for extraction by HCSE using heating and agitation and then thermally desorbed in an inlet optimised for HiSorb prior to further preconcentration on an electrically cooled focusing trap.
In this presentation we will show how this novel methodology performs in terms of sensitivity, through put and robustness for a variety of water matrices.
