An automatic analyzer for organic compounds in water based on solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography

An automated system for quasi-continuous and on-site monitoring of organic compounds in water is presented. It is based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography (GC) using a stopped-now approach. Th e analytes are extracted either by direct or headspace SPME. All steps incl uding sampling, sample preparation, extraction, chromatographic separation, and detection are fully automated. Using industrial wastewater as an examp le, the system was extensively validated both in the laboratory and in the held, Thus, relative standard deviations ranging from 1 to 7% were found fo r 24 compounds typically present in the wastewater of a chemical plant in G ermany. Unattended operation of the system at a wastewater plant for more t han one week is possible. Remote control via modem allows easy access to th e system and the analytical data from any place.