Determination of Semivolatile Organic Compounds by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry in Reclaimed Marsh Sediments in Southwest Louisiana

Abstract This work describes the measurement of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples originating from restored marsh at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Louisiana. The analysis was conducted using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The sediments used to restore the marsh were taken from the Calcasieu River ship channel. Large quantities of refined and crude petroleum hydrocarbons are transported along the ship channel, which has long been suspected to be highly contaminated. No PAHs were detected in any samples above lower levels of detection. However, hexachlorobenzene and hexachlorobutadiene were detected at levels just below the practical quantitation limit. Based on these results, use of Calcasieu River Ship Channel dredge spoils to restore Sabine National Wildlife Refuge marsh sediments should not lead to ecological problems.