A SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION SOLID-STATE LUMINESCENCE APPROACH FOR MONITORING PAHS IN WATER

Research results are described that address the sorption of several po lyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on solid phase extraction membranes as a function of concentration for a selected time period, followed by fr ont-surface ultraviolet-visible fluorescence spectroscopy for detectio n. Results indicate a linear response for a range of concentrations, w hich suggests the potential for quantitative analysis of individual PA Hs. Subsequent experiments to examine more complex PAH mixtures, ie pe troleum oils, as detected by fluorescence emission following sorption on the membranes and to analyze simple PAH mixtures by synchronous flu orescence indicated greater difficulty in analysis for mixtures as com pared to analysis for individual PAHs. Possible strategies are present ed for improving the usefulness of front surface luminescence as an an alytical technique for PAHs sorbed on solid phase extraction membranes and related materials that have favorable sorption properties for PAH s. The combined technique of solid phase extraction and solid state lu minescence continues to show merit for field and laboratory screening methods if certain problems can be solved.