Microextraction and gas chromatographic analysis of selected petroleum hydrocarbons in water and fish tissue.

The most effective water to solvent ratio is determined for the analyses of aromatic hydrocarbons in water using hexane. The recoveries of these hydrocarbons formed in the water soluble fraction of crude oils and petroleum products are measured using a microextraction procedure. Recoveries were in the 30-40% range but are consistent for each compound. Fish muscle samples are fortified with the standards and the recoveries measured with a modified extraction procedure using dichloromethane as the primary extracting solvent. This is dispersed in water using acetone and finally extracted with hexane. Recoveries range from 90-113% with a mean value of 98%.