Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic priorit
y pollutants of critical environmental and public health concern. The
PAH contamination of soil has increased due to leaking underground sto
rage tanks and accidental spills. In order for remediation of the soil
to be successful, the exact contaminants present must be known. The m
olecular identification of PAHs can be achieved by the use of high per
formance liquid chromatography . A Hewlett-Packard HPLC 1050 was used
to quantitatively and qualitatively characterize PAH contaminated soil
.