title: Validated analytical strategy for the determination of polycyclic aromatic compounds in marine sediments by liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry.
abstract: The aim of this work was to optimise and validate the experimental conditions for the analysis of 20 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) [19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dibenzothiophene as polycyclic aromatic sulphur heterocycle (PASH)] in marine sediments by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to photodiode array detection (DAD) and to mass spectrometry (MS). The LC-MS interface used was atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in the positive ion mode. The operational parameters of the APCI interface and MS detection, such as organic modifier, fragmentation voltage, gain, vaporizer temperature, corona current, capillary voltage, drying gas (N2) and nebulizer pressure, were studied. The sediments were subjected to microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MAE) and clean-up by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The relevance of the selected PACs lies in the fact that 16 PACs are classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants; 17 PACs are detected in the Prestige oil spill; and 8 PACs are included in the priority substance list of the EU water policy. Recoveries from 47% to 102% were obtained for SRM 1944 certified reference sediment. The limits of quantitation were lower than 100 ngg(-1) dry weight for most PACs, and good precision was achieved.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry Department, ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, Avda Los Castros s/n, Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González-Piñuela
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alonso-Salces
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrés
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Viguri
mesh_terms: D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012623:Seawater
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons