PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) Uptake by Plants: Methodology and Initial Investigations

摘要

An analytical protocol was developed that allows quantification of 16 PAHs in grain sorghum and fescue grass. Compounds are extracted from the plant stem and foliage by homogenation/solication using acetonitrile as the primary solvent. The extract is cleaned up by solvent partitioning into pentane followed by adsorption chromatography on silicic acid, then analyzed by GC-FID. This method can be used to measure PAH concentrations at the 25 micrograms/kg level in the plant.