Supercritical fluid extraction of PCBs in tandem with high resolution gas chromatography in environmental analysis

Abstract

Abstract A simple method has been developed for the direct coupling of supercritical fluid extractions (SFE) with a high resolution gas chromatograph (HRGC) equipped with an electron capture detector (ECD). SFE conditions have been investigated for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from sediments in terms of mobile phase, entrainer, pressure, temperature, and mass‐flow through the extractor. Dynamic leaching and static steady‐state extractions were compared. Extraction efficiencies of up to 100% in less than 15 minutes have been obtained. The extracted PCBs are quantitatively transferred into a fused silica open tubular column (OTC). Determination of PCBs was tested on certified sediment from National Water Research Institute and the results agreed well with certified values.