Multi-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization LC-MS for Profiling High Molecular Mass Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract
High molecular mass polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fractions were isolated from organic solvent extracts of a variety of matrices including bottom sediments, suspended sediments, coal tar-contaminated sediments and freshwater mussels from Hamilton Harbour (western Lake Ontario). Isomeric molecular mass PAH fractions were prepared using a normal phase HPLC method. The high molecular mass PAH fractions were analyzed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) LC-MS, and the resulting chromatographic profiles were compared. The effects of different HPLC mobile phases on mass spectrometer instrument performance are also briefly described.