SUPERCRITICAL-FLUID EXTRACTION IN ENVIRONMENTAL-ANALYSIS

This review focuses on recent attempts to understand the SFE process and on applications of that understanding to increase SFE recoveries of pollutants from environmental solids. Methods to decrease restrictor plugging and to increase the collection efficiencies of extracted analytes are evaluated. Approaches to obtain quantitative extractions include fluid choice, extraction flow-rate, modifiers, pressure and temperature are presented as is the potential for SFE to extract ionic organics and metals. Finally, the need for a better definition of ''quantitative'' extraction and the use of SFE in certification exercises for complex environmental samples is discussed.