Development and optimization of headspace and headspace-solid phase microextraction for the determination of volatile fuel compounds in environmental samples

María Balseiro-Romero, Raquel Chaves-Padín, Carmen Monterroso


The application of an effective and sensitive analytical method to determine soil contaminants is a crucial step in the monitoring and remediation processes. In the present work, we optimized the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VFOC) commonly present in fuel: oxygenates (FO-MTBE and ETBE-) and monoaromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). Headspace (HS) and headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) were optimized in water samples, and validated for contaminated soils, using artificially spiked soils. Contaminants were identified and quantified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Matrix effect correction with surrogate standards resulted essential when analyzing soil samples, especially when the sample exerted a strong sorption on the contaminants.

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