Detection and quantification limits (LODs and LOQs) were
evaluated on the basis of the noise obtained with the analysis of
unfortified blank samples (n = 6). LOD and LOQ were defined as the
concentration of the analyte that produced a signal-to-noise ratio of 3
and 10, respectively, and were then tested experimentally by spiking
blank samples at such levels.
Recovery assays were performed on spiked samples to determine
the accuracy and precision of the method, in triplicate, under the same
analytical conditions. The accuracy was evaluated through spiking
blank matrix at three levels of known concentrations: 750, 1000, and
2000 ng/g 1-hydroxynaphthalene; 30, 50, and 75 ng/g o2-
hydroxyfluorene; and 150, 200, and 300 ng/g 1-hydroxypyrene.
Precision was evaluated though the RSD (%) of the fortified samples,
in within- and between-day assays.