ANALYSIS OF SUBSTITUTED BENZENE COMPOUNDS IN GROUNDWATER USING SOLID-PHASE MICROEXTRACTION

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is applied to the analysis of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes in groundwater. The inexpensive SPME method reduced the sample preparation time by 3-7-fold when compared to purge and trap methods. The relative standard deviation ranged from 3 to 5% for the single-operator relative standard deviation using a methyl silicone fiber. Limits of detection of 1-3 ppb (w/v) were obtained when using a fiber coated with 56-mu-m methyl silicone film and FID detection. The linear range extended from 15 to 3000 ppb (w/v). Solvents have been completely removed from the sample preparation step.