Rapid determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sewage sludges using microwave-assisted solvent extraction. Comparison with other extraction methods.
The presence of toxic organic micropollutants in municipal sewage sludges is a major problem on account of risks associated with the agricultural use of the sludges and therefore maximum tolerance limits are imposed. The aim of our study was to develop a reliable and fast analytical procedure for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sewage sludges, using focused microwave-assisted extraction. Optimization of the extraction conditions was performed on real matrices. The results of a 2(3) factorial design showed that extraction time was the only influential factor. The selected conditions (30 W, 10 min, 30 ml solvent) were used for real sludges and a certified marine sediment, leading to recoveries of between 56 and 75%. Results of an interlaboratory test confirmed these values. Finally, the technique was compared to traditional techniques (Soxhlet, sonication), and the more recent pressurized liquid extraction technique. Focused microwave-assisted extraction remains an attractive alternative technique due to its rapidity, the low solvent volume required and its moderate investment cost.
Flotron
Vanina
V
Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon, Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, UMR Environnement et Grandes Cultures, 16 Rue Claude Bernard, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France.
Houessou
Justin
J
Bosio
Audrey
A
Delteil
Corine
C
Bermond
Alain
A
Camel
Valérie
V
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D008872:Microwaves; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods
D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D012722:Sewage; D012997:Solvents