Appraisal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental matrices by analytical pyrolysis (Py–GC/MS)

Large number of studies has demonstrated the usefulness of flash pyrolysis in association with GC–MS in releasing diagnostic volatile compounds informing about the complex composition of natural organic matter (NOM). This knowledge is of interest as regards monitoring agricultural and environmental processes including pollution. In this context the term NOM comprises a wide array of biomacromolecules (lignins, polysaccharides, proteins, lipid polymers, etc.), as well as complex three-dimensional macromolecules, either labile or recalcitrant, and which are referred to with generic terms such as dissolved organic matter, humic substances and black carbon. In this communication an updated overview on recent advances achieved by analytical pyrolysis in the structural characterization of recalcitrant/fossil/NOM is presented, with particular focus in the detection of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) within complex organic matrices.