Microscale Approach for the Quantitative Detection of PCBs and PAHs in Small Tissue Masses.

摘要

This technical note outlines an analytical approach for the detection of PCBs and PAHs in very small amounts (c. 100 mg wet weight) of invertebrate tissue, including a brief synopsis of the methodology and comparison with traditional techniques. The intent is to show the abilities and limitations of these techniques, how they compare to recommended target detection limits, and how they might be used to support Corps investigations into contaminant bioavailability. While the PAH microscale method is fairly comparable to the traditional method in terms of both method detection limits and mean absolute recoveries, the PCB microscale method did not perform as well with respect to recoveries. However, the PCB microscale method was technically viable with comparable detection limits, and acceptable inter-replicate variability. Ultimately, the choice of whether a laboratory might apply these microscale methods is dependent upon the specific data quality objectives for a particular project (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 1995). For bioaccumulation and toxicity testing protocols, the microscale method would in many cases offer adequate analytical sensitivity, precision, and accuracy.