Rapid On-Site Detection of PAHs and PCBs in Soil Samples Using the Mobile E2M Detection System

Importance of the Topic

Persistent organic pollutants like PAHs and PCBs accumulate in soils near industrial and urban areas, presenting chronic health and environmental hazards. Rapid and reliable on-site detection is essential for informed decision making in environmental monitoring, remediation efforts, and public health protection.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note demonstrates a field-deployable method for identifying PAHs and PCBs in complex soil matrices using the mobile E2M detection system with an integrated air/surface probe. The aims are to achieve:

• Minimal sample preparation
• Rapid analysis (minutes)
• Sufficient sensitivity and selectivity for key PAH and PCB congeners

Methodology and Instrumentation

Certified soil standards (ERM-CC013a for PAHs and BAM-U019 for PCBs) and synthetic mixes (PAH Mix16, PCB Mix6) provided reference spectra. The E2M mass spectrometer features an air/surface probe with a short heated GC column (MXT-5, 3.5 m×0.53 mm, 0.25 µm film). Both probe head and transfer line are held at 240 °C, enabling direct sampling by pressing the probe onto soil or liquid samples.

Analytical conditions:

• Probe head temperature: 220 °C
• Probe line: start at 90 °C (30 s), ramp 20 °C/min to 220 °C, hold 1000 s
• Inlet valve at 220 °C
• Detection via Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM), monitoring two to four characteristic m/z and relative intensities per compound

Key Results and Discussion

Detection of lower-boiling PAHs such as naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene/phenanthrene and fluoranthene/pyrene was achieved within 30 to 60 s in contaminated soil samples, triggering alarms when defined thresholds were exceeded. Higher-boiling PAHs (e.g., chrysene/benz(a)anthracene) required up to 60 s; very high-boiling congeners were only detected in synthetic standards due to limited mobility in soil. For PCBs, alarms for 3-, 4- and 5-chlorinated biphenyls appeared within 20–30 s, confirming the method’s rapid response.

Chromatograms and monitoring windows visually differentiate alarms (red bars), warnings (yellow bars), and partial matches (green bars), ensuring reliable on-site identification.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The E2M system with air/surface probe offers:

• No sample prep or laboratory infrastructure needed
• Analysis in minutes directly on site
• Selective detection of targeted PAH and PCB groups via SIM
• Ease of operation for environmental monitoring teams and first responders

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances may include expanded compound libraries, automated calibration routines, integration with GIS mapping for spatial pollutant distribution, and coupling with other ionization sources to broaden analyte scope. Miniaturized high-resolution mass analyzers could further improve selectivity for specific PCB congeners.

Conclusion

The mobile E2M detection system with an air/surface probe provides a fast, sensitive, and field-ready solution for on-site detection of PAHs and PCBs in soil. Its minimal sample handling and clear alarm visualization support timely environmental risk assessment and decision making.

Reference

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