Microwave assisted extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from atmospheric particulate samples

For several years, microwave assisted extraction (MAE) was applied to extra ct organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polyc hlorinated biphenyls, etc., from soils, sediments and standard reference ma terials. Very few authors applied this methodology for the extraction of PA Hs from atmospheric particulate matter. In the present study, MAE of poly c yclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hexane/acetone (1:1) from real atmospheric particulate samples was investigated and the effect of microwave energy an d irradiation rime studied. The yields of extracted compounds obtained by m icrowave irradiation were compared with those obtained using traditional So xhlet extraction. MAE was evaluated using spiked real atmospheric particula te samples and two standard reference materials. Analytical determinations of PAHs were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) w ith ultraviolet and fluorescence detection. The best recoveries were achiev ed with a microwave energy of 400 W and an irradiation time of 20 min.