Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are priority pollutants in drinking and environmental waters. Their mutagenic/carcinogenic potential and ng·L − 1 limits demand methods that are both sensitive and practical. We report a rapid, solvent-sparing workflow coupling stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) to HPLC with fluorescence detection (FLD) for simultaneous determination of six PAHs (fluoranthene, benzobfluoranthene, benzokfluoranthene, benzoapyrene, benzoghiperylene, indeno1,2,3-cdpyrene) in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water. SBSE conditions were optimized, and isocratic RP-HPLC achieved baseline resolution within a 26-min cycle using ~ 39 mL solvent (~ 20 samples day − 1). Validation under ISO/IEC 17,025 showed linear calibration ( r ≥ 0.99941), limits of detection of 0.4–1.8 ng·L − 1 , and matrix-verified LOQs of 1.5–10.9 ng·L − 1 . Trueness and precision met predefined criteria across matrices (recoveries 63.3–109.9%; within-laboratory reproducibility ≤ 25% RSD), with expanded uncertainties U(k = 2) ≤ 47.1%. Performance satisfies EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 requirements for benzoapyrene and the regulated PAH sum. By attaining sub-10 ng·L − 1 LOQs with FLD alone and documenting a complete uncertainty budget, this procedure offers a cost-effective alternative to LC–MS/MS for routine compliance and surveillance. The validated SBSE–HPLC–FLD protocol is fit-for-purpose for regulatory laboratories and environmental services requiring sensitive, robust, and scalable PAH determination across diverse water matrices.
Fernandes-Lage et al. (Sun,) studied this question.