Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using liquid chromatography/particle beam mass spectrometry

Methods employing liquid chromatography with particle beam mass spectrometric (LC/PBMS) detection were developed to detect and quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and oxygenated metabolites in sediment and water samples from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. PAH containing four or more rings and selected hydroxy and dione derivatives gave nanogram detection limits. The mass spectra from PAH were identical to those in a standard electron impact library and underivatized oxygenated PAH spectra consisted of molecular and diagnostic fragment ions. Sensitivity for PBMS detection was inversely correlated with PAH volatility, suggesting that losses of the more volatile PAH occur through the momentum separator interface. These results suggest that LC/PBMS is a useful companion technique to GC/MS for the analysis of PAH and environmental metabolites, especially for higher-molecular-weight congeners.