Cloud-point preconcentration and HPLC determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine sediments

Cloud-point methodology has been used to develop a new procedure for preconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons previously extracted from marine sediment with a micellar polyoxyethylene-10-lauryl ether medium by microwave- or ultrasound-assisted extraction. The optimum conditions for preconcentration and determination of PAH by HPLC with UV detection were established. The optimized procedure was applied to determination of these analytes in fortified marine sediment. The mean recoveries obtained after extraction and preconcentration by use of microwave- or ultrasound-assisted extraction were 105.8 and 99.5%, respectively. Precision, however, is considerably higher when extraction is performed ultrasonically.