Progress of Cryogenics and Isotopes Separation , ISSN: 1582-2575
2011, Volume 14, Issue 2

Determination of Some Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water of Valcea County

Abstract

Found in air, water, sediment, plants and animal tissues, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are some of the most dangerous xenobiotic, highly carcinogenic to humans and animals. In the environment, many PAHs are derived during incomplete combustion of organic substances at temperatures below 700°C. This study highlights the presence of 13 PAHs  in water samples collected in Valcea County. High performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detector was used for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration in the studied samples. The method detection limits were in the range 0.001-0.006 µg/L. This method provides sufficient qualitative information for all compounds to be identified and accurate quantitative results in the range of concentration considered. Several PAHs, such as naphtelene, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene were identified in the water samples.