Microextraction Technique for Determination of Aromatic Pollutant in Environmental Samples

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a family of organic pollutants that present carcinogenic and mutagenic nature as established by international organizations. Their widespread presence and their variable distribution in different compartments (water, soils/sediments, and air) causes them to be a serious problem with environmental and health connotations. Therefore, their determination in environmental samples is crucial in order to control the human exposure to them. In this context, the sample treatment is a key step in these strategies since it allows the efficient isolation and preconcentration of the analytes before their instrumental determination. Within the available techniques, the miniaturized procedures have gained importance in the past years because of their exceptional capabilities and their reduced impact on the environment since they dramatically minimize the volume of reagents and the generated wastes. This article presents in depth this environmental problem, introducing as well the main tools that an analytical chemist has to face.