RAPID HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS THAT SCREEN FORAROMATIC-COMPOUNDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES

In order to monitor the quality of coastal waters that provide habitat s for living marine resources, samples of sediment and biota must be a nalyzed to assess the degree and distribution of anthropogenic contami nation. Analytical time and costs can be greatly reduced by first empl oying methods that screen for contaminants before selecting samples fo r rigorous analyses. In this paper, we review the applications of rapi d high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods to screen for aromatic compounds in sediment, bile and tissue samples. These method s have been used to assess damage to natural resources after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. In addition, the bile screening method has also bee n used to evaluate contaminants in fish sampled for a national monitor ing program. The rapid screening of sediment or bile provides an estim ate of contaminant concentrations that can then be confirmed in select ed samples by more complicated and expensive analyses by gas chromatog raphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, HPLC and GC-MS chromatog raphic patterns from sediment and bile can provide information about t he source of contamination, e.g., crude oil, diesel fuel or pyrogenic contaminants. We also discuss the important role screening methods wil l play in the future in assessing the quality of aquatic habitats, the safety of seafood, and other important issues related to anthropogeni c contamination.