Determination of polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles in soil using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Development of LC/MS/MS method for analysing polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs) in soil samples is presented. Optimisation of individual chromatographic/ mass spectrometric conditions was made in order to obtain a method for the determination of 15 PANHs content in an organic extract from the soil. Detection limits (LOD) in the range of 0.3-15 pg per injection were obtained for individual PANHs. LC/MS/MS method has a lower LOD value compared to LC/DAD/FLD methods in general. Developed LC/MS/MS method was used for determination of PANHs content in soil samples collected in contaminated areas of the southeast region of the Czech Republic. Highest concentrations of PANHs have been found in the samples collected in the immediate vicinity of the industrial basin. Concentrations of the contaminants in samples collected in surrounding villages were higher compared to the sample collected in clean area of the Czech Republic.