Determination of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tree bark

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are released into the environment from a variety of sources, including the combustion of diesel, gasoline and other organic fuels. The most important source or nitro`PAHs, is believed to be the emissions from diesel fuelled vehicles. Monitoring of this class of compound is important due to their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Sturaro et al have shown that tree bark acts as a passive absorbent for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They proposed that the use of a natural and passive sampler such as tree bark might lead to a less complex overall analytical strategy for environmental measurements. It was decided to modify the method proposed by Sturaro et al, in an attempt to monitor nitro-PAH levels absorbed into the tree bark from diesel emissions.