An analytical method consisting in enzymatic deconjugation, solid phase extraction and purification, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis after derivatization was used in this study to quantify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in the bile of fish. The method has been applied in a laboratory experiment studying the fate of pyrene in basin containing soles. This study has allowed the identification of 1-hydroxypyrene as the single metabolite in bile after enzymatic deconjugation. In a second time, 1-hydroxypyrene has been used as a biomarker of exposure in the case of the “Erika” oil spill. This biomonitoring was successful in demonstrating the exposure of juvenile soles to PAHs present in the “Erika” fuel oil.
