Development of method of isolation and purification of PAHs from exposed semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) prior to GC-MS analysis

Surface water pollution by organic contaminants was investigated using passive sampling by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs), based on free transfer of analyte (diffusion) from water into receiving phase of sampler. The work was aimed at isolation method of contaminants from passive samplers extracts and instrumental analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Gel permeation chromatography after silica gel sample cleanup was used as a method for cleaning the extracts of passive samplers from interfering Triolein, the receiving phase in the samplers. The efficiency of isolation and cleaning was determined for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a target group of contaminants. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in the obtained fraction by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.