HPLC Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment with Ultrasonic Extraction

Contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH′s) in sediment were determined by HPLC. The PAH′s in the sample were extracted ultrasonically with a mixture of n-hexane-acetone (1+1). After centrifugation, the extract was evaporated, concentrated and purified with chromatographic column packed with 1 g of Na2SO4 and 2 g of silica gel. Varian PAHs chromatographic column was used as stationary phase, and solutions of methanol mixed with water in different ratios were used as mobile phase in the gradient elution. The eluate from the column was used for HPLC analysis with fluorescence detector. Detection limits (3S/N) of the method found were in the range of 0.34-1.52 ng·g-1. The proposed method was used in determination of PAH′s in sediment, giving values of RSD′s (n=5) in the range of 3.2%-10.6%. Recovery found by standard addition method were in the range of 57.1%-103.4%.