DETERMINATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC COMPOUNDS BY CAPILLARY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY - MASS SPECTROMETRY: STUDIES OF BIOCONCENTRATION IN VERTEBRATE FISH (GC-MS)

The application of capillary gas chromatography to the analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds is facilitated by the development of a consistent, reproducible retention index system designed specifically for this class of compounds. PAC structural isomers can be distinguished using a mixed reagent gas mass spectrometric technique which produces characteristic mass spectra for each isomer. The presence of both methane (proton transfer) and argon (charge exchange) in a chemical ionization source allows for competitive proton addition and charge exchange reactions which result in mass spectra which are a function of molecular structure. Residue analysis of PAC in fish tissue gives unambiguous data concerning the extent of bioconcentration of sulfur heterocycles relative to PAH. The dose-response nature of uptake of PAC by aquatic organisms is described.