Application of microwave-assisted extraction using micellar media to the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments

Microwave-assisted extraction methodology has been widely used for the extraction of different compounds from soil and sediment samples. It is not a time consuming methodology (only requiring 10–30 min) and needs reduced volumes of extractant, usually organic solvents. In this work, the applicability of micellar media as extractants instead of organic solvents is examined. Micellar media have the following characteristics: low cost, reduced toxicology and easy handling. The analytes under study are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the surfactants used are polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) and oligoethylene glycol monoalkyl ether (Genapol X-080). This methodology is applied to marine sediment samples from two regions of Gran Canaria Island (Las Canteras beach in the north-east, and Taliarte harbour, south-east). The sediment samples are spiked with the analytes under study and conditioned for 24 h and 10 weeks. The results obtained show good recovery percentages for the different analytes and are compared with those obtained when Soxhlet extraction is applied to the same sediments.