Solvent bar micro-extraction (SBME) based determination of PAHs in seawater samples

Effects of soil colloids on adsorption and migration of benzo(a)pyrene on contaminated sites under runoff infiltration processes

In the environment, soil colloids are widespread and possess a significant adsorption capacity. This makes them capable of transporting different pollutants, presenting a potential risk to human and ecological well-being. This study aimed to examine the adsorption and co-migration characteristics of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and soil colloids in areas contaminated with organic substances, utilizing both static and dynamic batch experiments. In the static adsorption experiments, it was observed that the adsorption of BaP onto soil colloids followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.966), and the adsorption isotherm conformed to the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.995). The BaP and soil colloids primarily formed bonds through π-π interactions and hydrogen bonds. The dynamic experimental outcomes revealed that elevating colloids concentration contributed to increased BaP mobility. Specifically, when the concentration of soil colloids in influent was 500 mg L-1, the mobility of BaP was 23.2 % compared to that without colloids of 13.4 %. Meanwhile, the lowering influent pH value contributed to increased BaP mobility. Specifically, when the influent pH value was 4.0, the mobility of BaP was 30.1 %. The BaP's mobility gradually declined as the initial concentration of BaP in polluted soil increased. Specifically, when the initial concentration of BaP in polluted soil was 5.27 mg kg-1, the mobility of BaP was 39.1 %. This study provides a support for controlling BaP pollution in soil and groundwater.

Critical review of micro-extraction techniques used in the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biological, environmental and food samples

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and their accurate determination is very important to human health and environment safety. In this review, sorptive-based micro-extraction techniques [such as Solid-Phase Micro-extraction (SPME), Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE), Micro-extraction in Packed Sorbent (MEPS)] and solvent-based micro-extraction [Membrane-Mediated Liquid-Phase Micro-extraction (MM-LPME), Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Micro-extraction (DLLME), and Single Drop Micro-extraction (SDME)] developed for quantification of PAHs in environmental, biological and food samples are reviewed. Moreover, recent micro-extraction techniques that have been coupled with other sample extraction strategies are also briefly discussed. The main objectives of these micro-extraction techniques are to perform extraction, pre-concentration and clean up together as one step, and the reduction of the analysis time, cost and solvent following the green chemistry guidelines.

Novel sample preparation approaches in gas chromatographic analysis: Promising ideas

The development of sample preparation procedures is still a dynamic process despite a number of already proposed techniques. The main challenge in this research field is to fully replace classical procedures like liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction in gas chromatographic analysis. Some progress has been already achieved for the last 20 years when miniaturized techniques were incorporated in ISO standards. The current review is focused on novel approaches in sample treatment that appeared since 2010. It includes research studies describing non-conventional instrumental design available to inspire future progress in the field. A combination of a few extraction principles and supporting with additional treatment are the main core suggested for improvement of sample preparation efficiency. This requires good compatibility of extraction media, assessment of multiple experimental parameters, and potential automatization possibilities.

A 3D nanoscale polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes network for microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes are 3D nanoscaled materials with large potential in solid phase microextraction (SPME). Here, as a case study, an octaglycidyldimethylsilyl modified polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane network is described. It was deposited on a stainless steel wire via a sol-gel method and used as a fiber coating for SPME of aromatic compounds. The uniform pore structure, high surface area, and hydrophobicity of the network make it susceptible toward isolation of non-polar and semi-polar chemical compounds. The performance of the fiber coating was tested with three classes of environmental pollutants, viz. chlorobenzenes (CBs), benzenes (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene; known as BTEX), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The effects of various types of sol-gel precursors on the fabrication and performance of fiber coatings were investigated. The extraction capability of the fiber coating was compared with the polydimethyl siloxane/divinylbenzene based commercial fiber. Parameters affecting headspace analysis and gas chromatographic quantitation were optimized. The method was applied to the quantification of PAHs, as model analytes, in tea, coffee and some environmental waters. Linear responses typically cover the 1-200 ng·L^-1 concentration range, limits of detection are between 0.1 and 0.3 ng·L^-1, intra-day relative standard deviation are <10%, and inter-day RSDs are <12%. The fiber has a long lifespan and can be used >200 times. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a headspace solid phase microextraction process which is implemented to the analysis of PAHs in tea and coffee samples. The SEM image of the SPME fiber coating, the 3D nanoscale polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) network, and the POSS-epoxy molecular structure are shown.