title: Sample pretreatment to differentiate between bioconcentration and atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mosses.
abstract: In this first approach a comparison using different sample pretreatment methodologies has been made to differentiate between total atmospheric deposition and bioconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in moss samples (Brachythecium rutabulum). Samples were collected in a densely polluted urban area in Barakaldo (Biscay, Basque Country) and submitted to different cleaning procedures with the aim to remove as many deposited atmospheric particles as possible. Analysis by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) allowed to quantify the removal efficiency of each cleaning procedure and to chemically characterise particles still present in the pre-cleaned sample. Cleaning moss samples twice with deionised water in an ultrasound bath showed up as the most suitable way to remove solid particles deposited on their surface. Discerning between bioconcentration and atmospheric deposition is therefore possible after GC-MS quantitative analysis of non-washed and washed moss samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain. Electronic address: julen.bustamante@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Julen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bustamante
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Olaia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Liñero
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Iker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arrizabalaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carrero
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Gorka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Diego
mesh_terms: D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D019068:Bryopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D002947:Cities; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013010:Sonication; D013030:Spain; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014867:Water
keywords: Atmosphere; Bioconcentration; Moss; PAH; SEM