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Chemical Preservation of Semi-volatile Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds at Ambient Temperature: A Sediment Sample Holding Time Study

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Abstract

Site investigations require the collection and analysis of representative environmental samples to delineate impacts, risks, and remediation options. When environmental samples are collected, concentrations of semi-volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) begin to change due to several processes, such as evaporation, adsorption, precipitation, photo, and microbial degradation. Preservation techniques are used to minimize these changes between collection and analysis. The most common techniques are refrigeration, freezing, and acidification. In the mid 1970 s, regulatory agencies developed a holding time limit of 14 days for PAHs in soil/sediment samples stored at < 6 °C. The technical basis for this limit is not well defined yet failing to meet this limit may force resampling. This study examined the effectiveness of preservatives at maintaining PAH concentrations in sediment samples to 60 days. Sediment samples were collected at three sites that were impacted with petrogenic and pyrogenic PAHs. Chemically preserved (sodium azide, NaN3) and unpreserved samples were analyzed at defined time intervals from 0 to 60 days. Statistical analysis indicated acceptable preservation of PAHs in the sediment samples preserved with sodium azide for 60 days when maintained at either ambient laboratory temperature or 4 ± 2 °C, and for up to 21 days with no preservative when maintained at 4 ± 2 °C.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Chevron Energy Technology Company’s technology development funding. Sample collection, processing, and shipment of samples were performed by NewFields (Type 1) and Chevron and Arcadis (Type 2). Sediment PAH analysis was performed by Alpha Analytical Laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NewFields Environmental Forensics, LLC, 300 Ledgewood Place, Suite 305, Rockland, MA, USA

    Gregory Douglas & Jeffery Hardenstine

  2. NewFields Atlanta, LLC, 1349 W. Peachtree St., Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Shahrokh Rouhani

  3. Chevron Energy Technology Company, Richmond, CA, USA

    Deyuan Kong

  4. Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX, USA

    Ray Arnold

  5. Chevron Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, CA, USA

    Will Gala

Authors
  1. Gregory Douglas
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  2. Jeffery Hardenstine
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  3. Shahrokh Rouhani
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  4. Deyuan Kong
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  5. Ray Arnold
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gregory Douglas.

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Douglas, G., Hardenstine, J., Rouhani, S. et al. Chemical Preservation of Semi-volatile Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds at Ambient Temperature: A Sediment Sample Holding Time Study. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 75, 486–494 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-0517-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-0517-y

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