Evaluation of extraction and detection methods for determining polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from coal tar contaminated soils

The use of batch, Soxhlet, and sonication extraction techniques was evaluated for determining the concentration of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in four soils contaminated with coal tar. Chromatographic analysis of eighteen PAHs was performed using both ion trap detector (ITD) and flame ionization detector (FID). No consistent differences were observed between the three extraction methods or between the two different chromatographic detection systems. The batch extraction technique was considered the least labor intensive and most cost effective method. The use of GC/FID with certified calibration standards was also found adequate for routine analysis of known organic compounds.