OPTIMIZATION BY ORTHOGONAL ARRAY DESIGN OF SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES FROM WATER

A two-level orthogonal array design (OAD) to optimize the solid phase extraction of organochlorine pesticides is described. Parameters inclu ding eluting solvents, SPE cartridges packed with Cls-bonded silica fr om different manufacturers, duration of air drying, pH, salinity and h umic acid have been examined using OAD. This systematic approach was t hen used to optimize the relevant parameters required for off-line sol id phase extraction of organochlorine pesticides from water. The optim ized parameters were employed to perform extraction of the pesticides from natural waters.