Separation of PCBs and PAHs in sediment samples using silica gel fractionation chromatography

The aim of this research is to develop a silica gel fractionation procedure for sediment sample extracts, which separates polycyclic aromatic hydrocar bons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into two groups, while sim ultaneously eliminating most interfering substances for subsequent instrume ntal analysis. This is achieved by optimizing the fraction cut-off volume o f eluting solvent and the deactivation level of the silica gel. Using fully activated silica gel and cutting off PCB collection after passing 60-65 ml eluting solvent (pentane or hexane) through the column resulted in satisfa ctory separation of PCBs and PAHs. This procedure tends to have a higher re liability for PCBs and PAHs with higher molecular mass. This approach devia tes only slightly from the standard methods of the USEPA, and it is less ex pensive due to reduced sample pre-treatment time and solvent consumption. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.