Determination of chlorobenzenes in environmental samples using solid phasemicroextraction, thermal desorption and analysis by gas chromatography coupled to FID, ECD, MSD IRD detectors

A complex method was developed for the determination of chlorobenzenes in s oil and groundwater samples. Samples were taken at two sites in Baranya cou nty, where a mixture of chlorobenzene waste was deposited, causing severe c ontamination in the environment. Clean-up of these sites demands modern and reliable analytical methods. Several sample preparation techniques were us ed, such as solid phase microextraction (SPME), supercritical fluid extract ion (SFE), and a recently developed thermal desorption method. The applicab ility of various sample preparation methods was compared by measuring recov ery percentages, relative standard deviations and by investigating the matr ix dependency of these values. Gas chromatography was used for quantitative determination of chlorobenzenes, using MS, IR, FID and ECD detection techn iques. Detection levels were as low as 1 ppt in water, and 10 ppt in soil s amples. Chlorobenzene concentration was in the range 1 ppt-1 ppm in water a nd 100 ppb-100 ppm in soil samples. Identification and calibration of these compounds were performed by quantitative standards. This complex analytica l method can be used for rapid and precise quantitative and qualitative det ermination of chlorobenzenes.