Quantification of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in industrial waste water using temperature programmed capillary gas chromatography

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs have been quantified in waste water of industrialized area of Kalashahkaku (Lahore, Pakistan). The PAHs were isolated from waste water by solvent extraction using dichloromethane (DCM) as extractant. After sample clean-up step and volume reduction under vacuum, the separation of PAHs concentrate into individual constituents is achieved by gas chromatography using flame ionization detector (FID). Mostly high molecular weight PAHs namely pyrene, benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (K) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (ghi) perylene, indeno (1,2,3 cd) pyrene and coronene have been detected ranging from 41.1 g/l for benzo (a) anthracene to 85.0 g/l for benzo (K) fluoranthene. (author)