Development and certification of a coal fly ash certified reference material for selected polycyclic aromatic...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are significant environmental pollutants.
• Accurate quantification of PAH in environmental matrices like coal fly ash is crucial for risk assessment.
• Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are essential for validating analytical methods and ensuring data quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and certify a coal fly ash CRM for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).
• To establish this as the first natural matrix CRM for organic environmental analysis in China.
• To ensure the homogeneity and stability of the developed CRM.

Main Methods:

• Homogeneity and stability were assessed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• PAH concentrations were determined using two independent methods: solvent extraction-HPLC with UV/fluorescence detection (FLD) and solvent extraction followed by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID).
• Method validation involved independent verification of results.

Main Results:

• Certified values were established for phenanthrene (7.1 ± 2.6 μg g⁻¹), anthracene (2.0 ± 0.8 μg g⁻¹), fluoranthene (7.4 ± 1.9 μg g⁻¹), pyrene (7 ± 2 μg g⁻¹), and benzo[a]pyrene (1.3 ± 0.3 μg g⁻¹).
• Reference values for additional PAH were also proposed.
• The CRM demonstrated satisfactory homogeneity and stability.

Conclusions:

• The successful development and certification of this coal fly ash CRM provide a vital tool for accurate PAH analysis in China.
• This CRM supports the advancement of organic environmental analysis by offering a reliable standard for method validation.
• The availability of this CRM will enhance the quality and comparability of environmental monitoring data for PAH.