Analysis of extractable organic compounds in water by gas chromatography mass spectrometry: Applications to surface water

Contamination of water by organic pollutants is a common environmental problem. Over a period of 1 year, the surface water of a canal network (Languedoc-Roussillon area, France) was analysed in order to identify organic compounds and to monitor its quality. Pollutants were extracted from 191 of raw water using methylene chloride in a continuous countercurrent liquid-liquid extractor with a pulsed column. The extraction was performed at a pH above 11 and again at a pH below 2 according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency method 625. The extract was analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, using two ionization techniques, namely electron ionization and chemical ionization. Mass spectra obtained by electron ionization were compared with those in a database (NIST). Some natural compounds and micropollutants were identified. Their structures were confirmed by chemical ionization (methane). One hundred and ten substances, making up the broad spectrum of extractable compounds in the surface water studied, were found by this method at a nanogram per litre concentration level. Among them, 13 are priority pollutants. These specific pollutants were qualified.