Analysis of high-molecular-mass polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental samples using liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with molecular masses higher than 300 u were analysed using LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) MS in extracts of environmental samples from Hamilton, Canada including zebra mussels from Hamilton Harbour, air particulate and coal tar. The LC-APCI-MS profiles of three molecular mass classes of PAHs (326 u, 350 u and 374 u) were compared to identify potential sources of PAH contamination in Hamilton Harbour. The Hamilton air particulate profile was also compared with an urban air reference standard (NIST SRM 1649) from Washington, DC, USA. Profiles of all extracts were similar and suggested an environmental predominance of PAHs within the three isomeric molecular mass classes studied. However, PAHs of molecular mass 326 u and 350 u were detected in extracts of coal tar and zebra mussels from Hamilton Harbour but were not detected in Hamilton air. These results indicated that some high-molecular-mass PAHs may be characteristic of contamination by coal tar.