Rapid and sensitive method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils using pseudo multiple reaction monitoring gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

• A GC/MS/MS method for determination of PAHs in soil and sediment is proposed.
• The method employs direct injection and has no complicated sample preparation steps.
• The method relies on a GC/MS/MS pseudo-MRM detection technique.
• We report improved sensitivity and specificity comparable to current techniques for analysis.

A method for the rapid determination of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil has been established based on a simplified solvent extraction and GC/MS/MS operated in pseudo multiple reaction monitoring mode (PMRM), a technique where the two quadrupoles mass monitor the same m/z. The PMRM approach proved superior to the classic single quadrupole technique, with enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and significant reduction in time consuming sample clean-up procedures. Trace level PAHs could be readily confirmed by their retention times and characteristic ions. The limit of quantitation in soil was observed to be 20 ng/g for 16 EPA-priority PAHs and 2 additional PAHs specific to Environment Canada. The developed method was linear over the calibration range 20–4000 ng/g in soil, with observed coefficients of determination of >0.996. Individual PAH recoveries from fortified soil were in the range 58.1 to 110.1%, with a precision between 0.3 and 4.9% RSD. The ruggedness of the method was demonstrated by the success of an inter-lab proficiency test study organized by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation. The present method was found to be applicable as a rapid, routine screening for PAH contamination in soil, with significant savings in terms of preparation time and solvent usage.