RAPID SIMPLE SAMPLE PREPARATION TECHNIQUE FOR ANALYZING POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN SEDIMENTS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY

A rapid, simple and reproducible sample preparation technique has been developed for analyzing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments. The PAHs are removed by ultrasonic extraction and isolated by solvent partition and silica gel column chromatography. The sulfur removal step, which is often necessary for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of sediments, is combined into the ultrasonic extraction procedure. Identification of PAHs is carried out by GC alone and in conjunction with MS. Quantitation is achieved by addition of known amount of standard compounds using flame ionization and multiple ion detectors. Major PAHs in Charles River sediment have been analyzed. © 1979.