High-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Area and Vicinity of the Deza Chemical Plant, Czech Republic

• Published in: Polycyclic aromatic compounds Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 327 - 352
• Main Authors: Caslavsky, J, Kotlarcikova, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2003
• Subjects: Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization; Environmental Analysis; High-molecular-weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Laser Desorption/ionization-time-of-flight; Liquid Chromatography/mass Spectrometry; Semipermeable Membrane Devices; Czech Rep
• ISSN: 1040-6638; 1563-5333
• DOI: 10.1080/10406630308053

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with molecular weight exceeding 278 amu were analyzed in air, water, and soils from the area and vicinity of the DEZA Chemical Plant (Vala w ské Mezi q í ) í, Czech Republic). Air and water were sampled using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs); grab sampling was applied for soils. Laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS) and liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC/APCI-ITMS) were employed for the quick assessment of PAH distribution and for the identification and quantification of some high-molecular-weight PAHs. Compounds with molecular mass up to 450 u were found. LDI-TOF mass spectra and selected LC/APCI-ITMS profiles (m/z 303, m/z 327, and m/z 351) were compared to identify potential source of contamination in this locality. High-molecular-weight PAHs were found in all environmental compartments in the area studied; their levels were quite high close to their source and decreased sharply with increasing distance from it.