Analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds in soil samples using laser-induced phosphorimetry

The analysis and spectral characteristics of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been investigated by Laser-Induced Solid-Surface Room Temperature Phosphorimetry (LI-SSRTP). These PAHs included phenanthrene, chrysene, 1,2 benzofluorene, 2, 3 benzofluorene, pyrene, coronene, 1, 2, 3, 4 dibenzanthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene, and benzo(g,h,i)perylene. A nitrogen laser was employed as the excitation source at 337 nm. Filter paper treated with UV irradiation for background reduction was used as the solid substrate. Thallium(I)acetate was employed as a phosphorescence enhancer. Absolute limits of detection in the picogram level were obtained for all the PAHs, improving SSRTP levels of detection by three orders of magnitude. Finally, the proposed method was tested with a PAH contaminated soil sample. Detection of several PAHs at the nanogram level was easily performed, showing the potential of LI-SSRTP to the analysis of samples of environmental concern.