Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the needles of a Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), a biomonitor of atmospheric pollution

• Published in: Journal of analytical chemistry (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 63; no. 8; pp. 805 - 811
• Main Author: Gorshkov, A. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.08.2008
• Subjects: Air pollution; Analytical Chemistry; Bioindicators; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Irradiation; Pinus sylvestris; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Rainfall; Spectrometry; territory; Ultrasonics; Benz; Pyrene; Anthracene; Perylene; Fluoranthene
• ISSN: 1061-9348; 1608-3199
• DOI: 10.1134/S1061934808080169

A procedure was developed for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAH ) in the needles of a Scotch pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.), which is characterized by the simple and efficient sample preparation. The procedure involves the steps of the extraction of PAH with n -hexane on ultrasonic irradiation, the precipitation of concomitant cereous components from the extract on its cooling, the purification of the PAH fraction on a cartridge with silica gel (0.5 g), and the redissolution of the concentrated eluate in methanol. The quantitative determination of PAH (15 compounds including 13 priority) with the use of chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selective ion detection mode exhibits the interlaboratory precision of the results of the PAH determination V Rl = 0.059–0.088 for the concentration of PAH in needles from 0.3 to 600 ng/g and a detection limit of 0.06 ng/g (signal-to-noise ratio = 3; mass of the sample for extraction was 10 g). The accumulation levels of PAH in the Scotch pine needles were presented; the needles were first studied as a biomonitor of atmospheric pollution over the southern part of the Baikal natural territory.