ABSTRACT
The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil is an issue of concern due to their harmful effects on human health. The goal of this study was to optimize ultrasonic extraction to establish an efficient, easy, and low-cost method for the determination of 16 priority PAHs in soil. The time of extraction and solvent systems were optimized with the analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method was validated, and the optimum results were obtained using 1:1 cyclohexane:acetone and 1:1 hexane:acetone solvent systems with 30- and 60-min sonication times.
Acknowledgment
The research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia.