Microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry: a suitable detection system for the determination of volatile halocarbons

Microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MIP-AES), a highly s ensitive detection system for organometal compounds, was coupled to an auto mated purge and trap gas chromatographic system for the determination of vo latile halogenated hydrocarbons in environmental water samples. Optimisatio n of the parameters affecting the injection and detection system led to rel ative detection limits from 1 to 14 ng . L-1 for chlorine-and bromine-compo unds and from 10 to 75 ng . L-1 for iodine-compounds, on basis of a 10 mt s ample volume. A comparison of the analytical characteristics between atomic emission detection (AED) and electron capture detection (ECD) showed a low er sensitivity of the atomic emission detector for halocarbons, but the det ection thresholds are low enough to use the method for the determination of volatile halocarbons in trace level concentrations. The ability of the ato mic emission detector provides increased selectivity for monitoring individ ual halogenated compounds under simplified and rapid chromatographic condit ions, within a total analysis time of only 30 min. The method was applied w ith gas chromatographic separation for the analysis of sea water samples. C oncentrations for the different elements between 0.05 and 15.28 mu g . L-1 were determined.