SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS FROM AQUEOUS SAMPLES USING POLYURETHANE FOAMS IN CONNECTION WITH SOLID-MATRIX SPECTROFLUORIMETRY

A method for rapid determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water has been developed. The method involves solid-phase extraction of PAHs by polyurethane foams (PUFs) and their determination in solid phase by luminescence spectroscopy. Distribution coefficients were obtained for naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. Polyether and polyester type PUFs have been shown to provide excellent effectiveness for PAHs preconcentration from water. The solid-matrix luminescence was measured from the absorbed luminophors using the appropriate excitation wavelengths. It is possible to determine at least three absorbed compounds. Benzo(a)pyrene was determined at the level of 0.02 ng ml-1.