Collection

Virtual Issue: Chromatographic Separations and Sample Extractions for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Submission status
Closed
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a diverse class of environmentally important chemical pollutants with potential mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. PAHs are highly researched in the literature with almost 60,000 publications through Web of Science dating back to 1911. PAHs have been identified in a wide range of environmental and combustion-related samples such as water, sediments, air particulate, coal tar, crude oil, and diesel particulate samples. Among the greatest challenges in the determination of PAHs in these samples are the complexity of the natural matrix material and the multitude of isomeric structures. Since the late 1970s, PAHs are typically quantified in these samples by a single chromatographic technique such as reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) with absorbance or fluorescence detection and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. In addition, sample extraction and clean-up methods have continuously evolved for PAH analysis to include normal phase LC, liquid-liquid extraction, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, solid-phase extraction, and solid-phase microextraction. In the past decade, improvements in PAH analysis have focused on developing highly efficient, selective, sensitive, reproducible, and green analytical methods. The seven original papers presented in this Virtue Issue on Chromatographic Separations and Sample Extractions for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons highlight some of the diverse work published in CHROMATOGRAPHIA during the last two calendar years in the area of PAH research. We expect contributions to the journal in these areas to continue to grow and welcome your submissions.

Editors

  • Walter B. Wilson Walter B. Wilson

    Walter B. Wilson

    Walter Brent Wilson received his Ph. D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Central Florida in 2014. His research involved the development of new methods for the extraction, separation, and spectroscopic detection of polycyclic aromatic compounds in environmental samples. In 2015, he was awarded a 2-year National Research Council post-doctoral fellowship at NIST, Chemical Sciences Division. After this, he joined the Organic Chemical Measurement Science Group at NIST. He is currently leading the efforts at NIST on developing a Cannabis Quality Assurance Program and Reference Materials.

Articles (7 in this collection)