Research and quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants present in the environment, resulting from the incomplete combustion of organic matter at high temperature or from petroleum origin. These molecules are composed of hydrogen and carbon arranged in two or more fused benzene rings, and can have substituted groups on one or more rings.
The concerns associated with PAHs come from their persistence in the environment. Indeed, the solubility and volatility of PAHs are very low, which implies a strong tendency for PAHs to persist in soils and waters by adsorption on hydrophobic targets such as organic matter.

POLYMEX has developed quantification techniques allowing detection of less than a hundred ppb. Inspired by Standard NF EN 15527: Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in waste by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (CG/MS), the technique has been generalized to all types of matrices: Waste; Painting ; Soil ; Water ...

Here is an example of a quantitative determination of 16 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge according to the list of priority pollutants established by the Environmental Protection Agency (United States) (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1982].

These so-called priority PAHs are assayed by gas chromatography coupled with detection by mass spectrometry (GC / MS).

A preparation of the solid / liquid extraction type allows the extraction of these molecules from the solid phase or they are found towards the liquid extraction phase. Purification with recovery control via internal standards makes it possible to purify the extract to obtain a liquid compatible with the analysis.
The external calibration carried out allows the quantification of tenths of µg of PAH, ie a detection limit of the order of ppb.

List of targeted compounds = 16 priority PAHs: Naphtalene [91-20-3] - Acenaphthylene [208-96-8] - Acenaphthene [83-32-9] - Fluorene [86-73-7] - Phenanthrene [85-01 -8] - Anthracene [120-12-7] - Fluoranthene [206-44-0] - Pyrene [129-00-0] - Benzo (a) Anthracene [56-55-3] - Chrysene [218-01- 9] - Benzo (b) Fluoranthene [205-99-2] - Benzo (k) Fluoranthene [207-08-9] - Benzo (a) Pyrene [50-32-8] - Benzo (ghi) Perylene [191- 24-2] - Indeno [123cd] Pyrene [193-39-5] - Dibenz (a, h) Anthracene [53-70-3].