Validation of an Adapted QuEChERS Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Sediment by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Fida Ben Salem , Olfa Ben Saïd (1, 2) , Robert Duran (2) , Mathilde Monperrus (2)

1 Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte [Université de Carthage]
2 IPREM - Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux

A Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method has been adapted and validated for the simultaneous analysis of 16 PAHs, 12 PCBs and 9 OCPs in sediment. The sample preparation was adapted by modifying the nature of the extraction solvent, the extraction technique and the amount of sediment. The analytical performances were evaluated in terms of accuracy, linearity and quantification limits. The method was validated by the analysis of a reference marine sediment material (SRM 1941b). The obtained concentrations are in good agreement with the certified values with recoveries ranging 60 %–103 % for most of PAHs. Acceptable recoveries are obtained for PCBs, ranging 76 %–131 %, and for OCPs ranging 81 %–137 %. The method was applied to the analysis of sediments from the hydro-system Bizerte Lagoon/Ichkeul Lake (Tunisia). The Bizerte lagoon is mainly contaminated by PAHs whereas the Ichkeul lake is mainly by OCPs.

Mots clés: Extraction; Purification; Certified reference material; SRM 1941b; Coastal sediment; Bizerte Lagoon; Ichkeul Lake

Domaines: Chimie

Fida Ben Salem, Olfa Ben Saïd, Robert Duran, Mathilde Monperrus. Validation of an Adapted QuEChERS Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Sediment by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2016, 96 (5), pp.678--684. ⟨10.1007/s00128-016-1770-2⟩. ⟨hal-01494461⟩