Analysis of phenolic compounds in soil and sediment by using SPE-disks and gas chromatography techniques

Styrene-Divinylbenzene (SDB) extraction disks were used for the isolation and trace analysis phenol, cresols, xylenols and chlorophenols from soil and sediment samples. The extracts were devided into two fractions for free and acetylated compounds. Extract fractions were then analysed in a GC-FID with DB-1 capillary column and in a GC-ECD with DB-5 capillary column. Confirmation of phenols identity was carried out by GC-MSD in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Recoveries of all selected phenolic compounds from a SCL soil and a CL sediment were increased after acetylation. Recoveries of cresols from soil and sediment were lower at 49.4-60.5 % and increased after acetylation up to 48.3-77.4 %. Recoveries of xylenols were also increased from a level of 62.1-95.4 % for free compounds to 71.2-98.3 % for their acetates. Finally, recoveries of tri- tetra - and pentachlorophenols were strongly increased after the acetylation from 84.5-99.2 % to 95.3-112.8 %.