EPA-RCA: 8310: Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons by HPLC Using Ultraviolet and Fluorescence Detectors

Summary
Analytes
Revision
Data and Sites

Official Method Name

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Current Revision

Revision 0; September 1986

Media

VARIOUS

Instrumentation

High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Method Subcategory

Organic

Method Source

EPA-RCA

Citation

SW-846 Online: Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods

Brief Method Summary

Method 8310 provides high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) conditions for the detection of ppb levels of certain polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Prior to use of this method, appropriate sample extraction techniques must be used. A 5- to 25-uL aliquot of the extract is injected into an HPLC, and compounds in the effluent are detected by ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescence detectors.

Scope and Application

Method 8310 is used to determine the concentration of certain poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ground water and wastes.

Applicable Concentration Range

None given.

Interferences

(A) Solvents, reagents, glassware, and other sample processing hardware may yield discrete artifacts and/or elevated baselines, causing misinterpretation of the chromatograms. Analysis of method blanks is necessary. Specific selection of reagents and purification of solvents by distillation in all-glass systems may be required.
(B) Interferences coextracted from the samples will vary considerably from source to source. Although a general cleanup technique is provided as part of this method, individual samples may require additional cleanup approaches.
(C) The chromatographic conditions described allow for a unique resolution of the specific PAH compounds covered by this method. Other PAH compounds, in addition to matrix artifacts, may interfere.

Quality Control Requirements

See Method 8000 for information

Sample Handling

Collect water samples in amber glass containers with screwcaps Teflon lined septa. If residual chlorine is present, add 3 mL of 10% sodium thiosulfate per gallon. Refrigerate at 4^oC until extraction. Extract within 7 days. Solid samples: Collect sample in wide-mouth glass jar. Refrigerate at 4^oC until extraction. Extract within 14 days. All extracts should be stored at 4^oC and analyzed within 40 days after extraction.

Maximum Holding Time

Aqueous samples - 7 days (sample), 40 days (extract). Solid samples - 14 days (sample), 40 (extract). Also, see SW-846 Chapter Four for information.

Relative Cost

$201 to $400

Sample Preparation Methods

This method has 18 analytes associated with it.

Analyte	Detection Level	Bias	Precision
Acenaphthene(83-32-9) 1,2-Dihydroacenaphthylene 1,8-Ethylenenaphthalene Acenaphthene Acenaphthene,1,2-dihydro- Acenaphthylene, 1,2-dihydro- Periethylenenaphthalene	1.800 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Acenaphthylene(208-96-8) Acenaphthalene Acenaphthylene Cyclopenta(de)naphthalene	N/A	N/A	N/A
Anthracene(120-12-7) Anthracene Anthracin Green oil Paranaphthalene Tetra olive n2g	0.660 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Benz[a]anthracene(56-55-3) 1,2-Benzanthracene 2,3-Benzphenanthrene Benz[a]anthracene Benzanthrene Benzo(a)anthracene Benzoanthracene Naphthanthracene Tetraphene	0.010 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Benzo(a)pyrene(50-32-8) 3,4-Benzopyrene 3,4-Benzpyrene BP BaP Benzo(a)pyrene Benzo[a]pyrene	0.020 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Benzo(b)fluoranthene(205-99-2) 2,3-Benzofluoranthene 3,4-Benzfluoranthene 3,4-Benzofluoranthene B(b)F Benz[e]acephenanthrylene Benzo(b)fluoranthene Benzo(e)fluoranthene Benzo[b]fluoranthene	0.010 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene(191-24-2) 1,12-Benzoperylene 1,12-Benzperylene B(ghi)P Benzo(g,h,i)perylene Benzo(ghi)perylene	0.070 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Benzo(k)fluoranthene(207-08-9) 11,12-Benzofluoranthene B(k)F Benz(k)fluoranthene Benzo(k)fluoranthene	0.010 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Chrysene(218-01-9) 1,2,5,6-Dibenzonaphthalene 1,2-Benzophenanthrene 1,2-Benzphenanthrene Benz(a)phenanthrene Benzo(a)phenanthrene Chrysene	0.150 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene(53-70-3) 1,2:5,6-Dibenzanthracene DB(a,h)A Dibenz(a,h)anthracene Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene	0.030 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Fluoranthene(206-44-0) 1,2-Benzacenaphthene Benzo(j,k)fluorene Fluoranthene Idryl	0.210 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Fluorene(86-73-7) 2,2'-Methylenebiphenyl 9H-Fluorene Diphenylenemethane Fluorene o-Biphenylenemethane	0.210 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene(193-39-5) 1,10-(1,2-Phenylene)pyrene 2,3-Phenylenepyrene Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene o-Phenylenepyrene	0.040 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Naphthalene(91-20-3) Moth balls Naphthalene Naphthalin Naphthene Tar camphor White tar	1.800 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Organics, semivolatile(E-12884) Organics, semivolatile Semi-volatile organics Semivolatile organics	N/A	N/A	N/A
Phenanthrene(85-01-8) Phenanthrene Phenathrin	0.640 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Pyrene(129-00-0) Benzo[def]phenanthrene Pyrene Pyrene[def]phenanthrene	0.270 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Volatile organic compounds(E-12419) Organic compounds, volatile VOCs Volatile organic compounds	N/A	N/A	N/A

Precision Descriptor Notes:
Detection Level Note:	Method detection limits for naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, and fluorene are based on UV-detection, while those listed for other compounds are based on fluorescence detection.

Revision	PDF/Link
Revision 0; September 1986

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EPA-RCA: 8310: Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons by HPLC Using Ultraviolet and Fluorescence Detectors

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