Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric water using stir bar sorptive extraction and HPLC with fluorescence detection

Rapid and sample preparation using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), followed by highperformance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric water was studied. Applying the SBSE method to authentic atmospheric water samples revealed that rainwater in Shinjuku contained a 226 pM concentration of total PAHs, which was 10-times as much as that at Mt. Fuji, especially in a higher concentration of soluble PAHs. There was no seasonal variation of the concentration and composition of PAHs in rainwater at Shinjuku. Comparing the concentration of PAHs in rain, cloud, and dew water collected at the foot of Mt. Fuji, 5- and 6-rings PAHs were enriched in cloud water. This result suggests that cloud droplets could condense PAHs, especially high molecular weight PAHs.