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Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biochar-based fertilizer by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

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Abstract

Application of biochar-based fertilizers is increasingly being considered for its potential agronomic and environmental benefits. However, biochar may contain residues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a result of its production by pyrolysis. The strong adsorption of PAHs to biochar makes extraction and analysis of biochar-based fertilizers difficult. This study optimizes the extraction of PAHs in biochar-based fertilizer samples by using an ultrasonic bath for quantification by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Among 12 solvents, acetone–cyclohexane (1:1) mixture was selected as the optimum solvent for extraction. Three variables affecting the extraction were studied by Box–Behnken design. The optimum conditions were 57 °C extraction temperature, 81 min extraction time, and two extraction cycles, which were validated by assessing the linearity of analysis, LOD, LOQ, recovery, and levels of PAHs in real biochar-based fertilizer samples. Results revealed that the 16 U.S. EPA PAHs had good linearity, with squared correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. LODs were low, ranging from 2.2 ng g−1 (acenaphthene) to 23.55 ng g−1 (indeno[1,2,3-cd]perylene), and LOQs varied from 7.51 ng g−1 to 78.49 ng g−1. The recoveries of 16 individual PAHs from the three biochar-based fertilizer samples were 81.8–109.4 %.

Use of RSM to optimize UAE for extraction of the PAHs in biochar-based fertilizer

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Public Benefit Research Foundation (201310269), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21477075), National Science and Technology pillar program (2012BAD15B03), Shanghai Agricultural Commission (Grant no. 2015-4-1), Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (13dz1913500).The authors thank Yifei Shen and Sisi Yang for assistance in analyzing PAH samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment and Resource, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Ping Chen & Guoqing Shen

  2. Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Shanghai, 200135, China

    Mingxing Sun, Zhixiu Zhu & Jidong Zhang

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  1. Ping Chen
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  2. Mingxing Sun
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  3. Zhixiu Zhu
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  4. Jidong Zhang
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  5. Guoqing Shen
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Correspondence to Guoqing Shen.

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Chen, P., Sun, M., Zhu, Z. et al. Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biochar-based fertilizer by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 407, 6149–6157 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-8790-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-8790-3

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