First-order derivative resolution of overlapped PAH peaks with common mass spectra in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

First-order derivative of 15 points smoothed chromatograms of mixtures of benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) for the m/z 252 ion obtained using two microscans has been proposed as a simple alternative to the resolution of overlapped chromatographic peaks of these two compounds which have identical mass spectra. The procedure provides limits of detection of 12 and 29 ng g−1 for BbF and BkF, respectively and offers the possibility to use the 250 and 248 ions to confirm the identity of these analytes.