An analytical method has been developed for the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of a wide range of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from quartz fiber filters (QFFs).  This method was developed to improve the analysis of valuable and rare samples, such as those collected in an urban and/or remote environments. Approximately 50 SVOCs were selected as molecular markers of incomplete combustion (including, specifically, motor vehicle use), agricultural, industrial, and urban areas from five different compound classes including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hopanes, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Currently, there is no analytical method capable of the extraction of all five compound classes in a single automated technique.  Building on the work of Primbs et al. (2008) and Sheesley et al. (2010), we were able to utilize PLE as well as extraction solvents methylene chloride and methanol. Utilizing a Dionex Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE 350), we examined the extraction efficiencies of varying ratios of methylene chloride to methanol (from 1:1 to 5:1) at high temperatures (100�C) and pressures (1500 psi). Prior to extraction, QFF samples were spiked with target analyte standards and isotopically-labeled surrogate standards.  Extracts were concentrated, spiked with isotopically-labeled internal standards, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry utilizing electron ionization and electron capture negative ionization. Target analytes were surrogate recovery corrected to account for analyte loss during sample preparation. Triplicate spike and recovery and method detection limit experiments were compared to previous studies. The developed method was applied for further validation to samples collected downwind of Fort Worth, TX in June 2011.

Pressurized liquid extraction technique for the analysis of PAHs, hopanes, pesticides, PCBs and PBDEs from air filter samples

247th National Meeting (2014)

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