Determination of organic sulphur compounds in sediments of the river Elbe using gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

Sediment samples from different reference sites representing typical situations on the river Elbe were analyzed for organo-sulphur compounds (OSC). Gas chromatography with sulphur specific flame-photometric detection was used for the identification and quantification of individual OSC. Chromatographic retention data for 42 standard heterocycles were determined and compared with the composition of sediment extracts. An extraction scheme used for the OSC determination is described. Dibenzothiophene (DBT), its alkylated homologues, phenanthro[4,5-bcd]thiophene, benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene and in some cases still unidentified compounds were the predominant OSC. Depending on sampling site and date the qualitative composition of sulphur heterocycles detected by the described method varied, and the total concentrations of all OSC ranged from 0.3 to 21 mg/kg.