Analysis of BTEX in sediments by purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

One of the most BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and a mixture of o-, m- and pxylenes) compounds are prominent environmental pollutants commonly found in discharges and petroleum products. These volatile aromatic compounds (VOCs) are severely toxic to living organisms if contact is maintained. They originate from incomplete combustion of organic matter, and their major sources to the urban environment include vehicular emissions (mobile source), gasoline evaporation, coal burning and residential heating, and waste incineration (stationary sources). Water sediments are not well known as a source of BTEX. However, it is crucial to consider that they can act as a source, as well as sink, of organic compounds, especially in a water body located in an urban city exposed excessively to the above-mentioned sources of BTEX. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantitatively analyze VOCs compounds in sediment by using purge-andtrap (P&T) gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).