MultiSimplex optimisation of purge-and-trap extraction of phenols in soil samples

Purge-and-trap extraction and GC-FID determination of phenols from soil sam ples has been optimised making use of the simplex method implemented in the MultiSimplex program for four phenols (2-chlorophenol, 2-methylphenol, 2-n itrophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol). The experimental variables studied were the sample heating time and temperature, the purge time and the concentrat ion of sodium chloride. Once the optimum conditions were established the re producibility of the extraction yield was tested by means of repeated analy sis on different samples. These results were compared with previously optim ised microwave-assisted extraction and Soxhlet extraction. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.