Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental waters from southern Spain by using a continuous solid-phase extraction system and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

Environmental contextPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are widespread carcinogenic compounds resulting from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. We report a robust analytical method suitable for detecting these compounds at trace levels in various types of environmental waters. The method allows for accurate monitoring of the levels and behaviour of these priority environmental pollutants. AbstractHuman exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a major challenge for the scientific community. The European Commission and the European Food Safety Agency have declared PAHs as priority pollutants, and sanctioned their quantification and monitoring in water and foods, owing to their carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic properties. We report a method for determining sixteen PAHs in various types of environmental water samples collected from various sources and places in the south of Spain. The target compounds were preconcentrated to a reduced volume (350 µL) with an automatic solid-phase extraction system and determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Optimising the operational variables, such as the type and nature of sorbent, and analytical variables resulted in a very low limit of detection (0.01–0.3 ng L−1), high accuracy and precision (RSD < 7.5 %), and recoveries of 86–102 % from 200 mL of sample. The method was applied to a variety of environmental water samples, many of which were found to contain PAHs at different levels, depending on the nature and origin the sample. In any case, such levels were lower than the maximum tolerated limits except for sea and waste water. In the case of waste water, a comparison between influent and effluent from the waste water treatment plant was performed to assess the effect over the environment after their treatment, where a reduction of the presence of PAHs in the samples was observed.