PAH Analytics in New Polish Reference Material

Abstract

Even more frequently than they used to, analysts face the problem of the quantitative determination of substances present at very low concentrations and in complicated matrices. These substances can be xenobiotics -even trace amounts of which can considerably affect human organisms. In such kinds of analysis, it is particularly important to provide the adequate quality of the process and obtain reliable results (quality assurance QA and quality control QC) [1][2][3]. Therefore, the task becomes more difficult when the concentration of a substance tested decreases and the complexity of the matrices composition increases [4][5][6]. The quality of our life depends on the reliability of the measurement results (physical as well chemical quantities), which often influence our decisions. The results obtained with an adequate precision allow drawing appropriate conclusions from our scientific work. The factors influencing the quality of measurement results obtained are presented in Fig. 1.Each of the factors is closely related with reference materials (RM) and certified reference materials (CRM). A reference material should be considered as a material homogeneous and stable enough from one or more specific properties viewpoints and prepared in order to be applied in the measurement process. The reference material -one or more properties of which were metrologically characterized with a recognized procedure, and which is approved with a certificate specifying the values for the denoted properties and associated uncertainty, as well as confirming metrological traceability -is called a certified reference material [3,7]. Reference materials can be categorized according to a few criteria [7][8][9]. The basic classification of reference materials is shown in Fig. 2.All the reference material guidelines covering terminology, production methods, certification, quality assurance, Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 24, No. 5 (2015), 2021-2028 Original Research PAH Analytics in New PolishReference AbstractA significant number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) extraction methods exists. While studying new reference materials, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with the use of a dichloromethane-acetone mixture turned out to be the best extraction method for six selected compounds representing the PAH group. This method allowed the recovery ranging from 90 to 115% and repeatability varying from 0.74 to 1.6. In order to validate the PAH extraction and determination method, liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC/FLD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were applied. The combination of the two methods enabled the achievement of satisfactory results both in soil being the matrix for the new material and in a new Polish candidate for a reference material. The development and validation of the method for PAH extraction and determination in soil was necessary for the purposes of further certification tests aimed at designating the certified value of the new reference material.

Origins of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments from the Danube and Sava Rivers and Their Tributaries in Serbia

“…Quantification was performed using the internal calibration method based on a five-point calibration curve for individual components. Method blanks (solvent), spiked blanks (standard spiked into solvent), matrix spikes/matrix spike duplicates, sample duplicates and standard reference material (CRM 141) [41] were routinely analysed with the sediment samples.…”