Anthropogenic volatile organic compounds in ambient air and natural waters: a review on recent developments of analytical methodology, performance and interpretation of field measurements

This review focuses on a number of specific elements in recent developments of the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air and natural waters. The first element that is discussed is the current status of the sampling methods. Recent advances in sorbent sampling, cryogenic sampling and the combination of both methods for sampling VOCs in ambient air are discussed. Next, same infrequently used sampling techniques are mentioned. As far as the analysis of VOCs in natural waters is concerned, the paper focuses on recent applications of liquid-liquid extraction and the dynamic headspace technique, and on new techniques such as the application of membranes. Secondly, the paper deals with the performance of the analytical techniques. General and specific elements affecting the analytical quality are discussed. In current measurements of VOCs in ambient air and natural waters, control of the analytical performance is not carried out in a systematic way. Finally, the possibilities of using the current techniques in field sample analyses are discussed. Information obtained using the analytical methods provides insights into the concentration levels of VOCs and their sources. By investigating relationships between concentration data of VOCs and environmental factors affecting these concentrations, it it now possible to explain observed variances in the concentrations of VOCs in the environment. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.