A simplified analysis of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and sediment by high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract

A simple and rapid analysis of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil and sediment by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was investigated. The following method was used for the analysis ; soil and dried sediment samples were sieved through a screen (32 mesh) for removing large particles. PAHs in the soil and sediment samples were extracted with 4 ml of acetonitrile for 15 minutes by using a ultrasonic apparatus, and then PAHs in the supernatant was separated and determined by HPLC [guard column : (35 mm×4.0 mm, i. d.) and analytical column (250 mm×4.0 mm, i. d.) packed with LiChrosorb RP 18 (5 μm), mobile phase : acetonitrile-water (9 : 1, v/v), flow rate : 1.5 ml/min] with UV and fluorescence detectors. This method was applied to the analysis of PAHs in soil and sediment and eleven PAHs were identified. Recovery rates of PAHs from soil and sediment were 101.0% and 99.1% for benzo (a) pyrene (BaP), 98.8% and 99.4% for perylene, and 102.5% and 98.2% for benzo (k) fluoranthene (BkF), respectively. An apparent correlation was found between particle size of soil and distribution rate of BaP and perylene. The BaP contents in soil decreased with increasing the depth from the surface. PAH contents in soils sampled at the road sides of Kitakyushu high way in March 1983 were ranged from 13.9 to 175 ppb for BaP, 11.7-171 ppb for BkF, 3.5-76.4 ppb for perylene and 20.8-273 ppb for benzo (ghi)-perylene. BaP contents in soils sampled from the road side in Orio area were 656-1630 ppb. PAH contents in sediment which were sampled in Onga river in October 1983 were ranged from 6.4 to 82.9 ppb for BaP, 2.8-38.3 ppb for BkF and 2.7-27.2 ppb for perylene. BaP contents in sediments obtained from the polluted area of Wakamatsu harber were 1150 ppb and 12400 ppb. In this method several kinds of PAHs in soil and sediment including carcinogenic BaP can be analysed easily.