Determination of trace volatile organic compounds in fish tissues by gas chromatography
Murray, D.A.; Lockhart, W.L.
Journal - Association of Official Analytical Chemists 71(6): 1086-1089
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-5756 PMID: 3240957 Accession: 007196224
Several volatile organic compounds associated with petroleum fuels (mainly alkylated benzenes) were extracted from spiked fish tissue samples with a stream of air, trapped on charcoal, eluted with a solvent, and analyzed by gas chromatography. These volatile compounds are among the most water-soluble components of crude oils and petroleum products, and they have been associated with fainting in fish tissues. Recoveries for these compounds were about 90% when spiked directly either onto traps or into fish tissues although naphthalene desorbed poorly from the charcoal; recoveries of this compound were about 50%. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for most recoveries of spiked samples were in the 2-10% ranged based on 6 samples analyzed in duplicate. However, when live fish were contaminated experimentally by adding the aromatic compounds to the aquarium water, the RDSs were higher (10-30%).