Combined protocol for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) from sediments using focussed microwave assisted (FMW) extraction at atmospheric pressure

A microwave-assisted protocol has been developed using focussed microwaves at atmospheric pressure for the extraction of PAHs and PCBs from sediments. It combines extraction and purification assisted by microwaves. This proto col has been applied to the quantification of 12 individual PAHs, 8 individ ual PCBs and 8 PCB coeluted mixtures from two Standard Reference Materials and one natural sediment. The results for both classes of compounds (PAHs a nd PCBs) are good in terms of recoveries, which are always greater than 70% and in most cases around 100%. The reproducibility is also good with coeff icients of variation below 10% in most cases. This protocol has the great a dvantage of saving time, the time dedicated to the preparation / extraction assisted by microwaves being reduced to less than half an hour.