CONFIRMATIONAL ANALYSIS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN SOIL EXTRACTS BY CRYOTRAPPING GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROMETRY

The utility of cryotrapping gas chromatography-Fourier transform infra red spectrometry for isomer differentiation and identification of poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples was investigated. Extracts of sediment, soil and river clay were examined and compared w ith the results from previous analysis by high-performance liquid chro matography with fluorescence detection. The presence of most of the de tected PAHs could be confirmed at a level of 1-4 ng per component inje cted. In addition, previously undetermined PAHs were identified and va luable structural information was obtained on the identity of two co-e luting isomers. Most of the cryotrapping spectra of PAHs appeared to b e similar to spectra recorded with the KBr pelleting technique. Small intensity differences were observed but absorption frequencies were fo und within the data point resolution of the recorded spectra.