title: Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments from the Porto region (Portugal) by microwave-assisted extraction, followed by SPME and GC-MS.
abstract: A simple low-cost, analytical method based on microwave-assisted extraction of sediments, followed by solid phase micro-extraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, was developed and validated for the quantification of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine and estuarine sediment samples. The PAHs were those included in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) priority list. Method detection limits were between 0.07 and 0.76 µg/kg dry weight (dw), which makes the current method suitable for environmental analysis. Sediments screened for PAHs from the Douro River estuary and the Porto seacoast exhibit total concentrations that ranged from 58.98 to 156.45 µg/kg dw, and from 51.98 to 54.79 µg/kg dw, respectively. The presence of almost all human carcinogenic PAHs in the analyzed areas indicate that these sediments can be considered polluted, suggesting that future monitoring programs together with an effective coastal management program must be implemented to guarantee the safe usage of the current areas for fishing and bathing.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular, Molecular and Analytical Studies, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, CIMAR Associated Laboratory, University of Porto, Portugal. mjsrocha@netcabo.pt
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cruzeiro
authors.forename: Paula C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Pedro A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008872:Microwaves; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011174:Portugal; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052617:Solid Phase Microextraction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants