title: Comparison of rapid solvent extraction systems for the GC-MS/MS characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aged, contaminated soil.
abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major class of organic hydrocarbons with high molecular weight that originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Sixteen PAHs are included in the U.S Environmental Protection agency list of priority pollutants due to their mutagenic, carcinogenic, toxic and teratogenic properties. In this study, the development and optimization of a simplified and rapid solvent extraction for the characterisation of 16 USEPA priority poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aged contaminated soils was established with subsequent analysis by GC-MS/MS. •Five different extraction solvent systems: dichloromethane: acetone, chloroform: methanol, dichloromethane, acetone: hexane and hexane were assessed in terms of their ability to extract PAHs from aged PAH-contaminated soils.•Highest PAH concentrations were extracted using acetone: hexane and chloroform: methanol. Given the greater toxicity associated with chloroform: methanol, acetone: hexane appears the best choice of solvent extraction system.•This protocol enables efficient extraction of PAHs from aged weathered soils.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Nagalakshmi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haleyur
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Esmaeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shahsavari
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia; Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Azawia University, Libya.
authors.forename: Abdulatif A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koshlaf
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: A Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ball
keywords: Bioremediation; Comparison of rapid solvent extraction systems for the GC–MS/MS characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aged, contaminated soil; GC–MS/MS; PAHs; Soil contamination; Solvent extraction; Weathered soils