Abstract
A method using direct immersion solid phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) was developed for the analysis of 7 chlorinated benzenes in dam water. The main parameters affecting the DI-SPME process were optimised. The optimised method comprises the use of a 100 μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibre coating; 5 mℓ sample size; 700 r/min rate of agitation and an extraction time of 30 min. The calibration curve was linear with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9957–0.9995 for a concentration range of 1–100 ng/mℓ. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.020–0.265 ng/mℓ and 0.204–2.65 ng/mℓ, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 83.6–107.2% with relative standard deviation of less than 9.2%, indicating that the method has good precision. The method is reliable and is free of matrix interferences. Water samples collected from Grootdraai Dam were analysed using the optimised conditions to assess the potential of the method for trace level screening and quantification of chlorobenzenes. The method proved to be efficient, as 1,3 dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene were detected at concentrations of 0.429 ng/mℓ, 1.685 ng/mℓ and 1.433 ng/mℓ, respectively.Keywords: chlorobenzenes, Grootdraai Dam, water, dam, SPME, DI-SPME, GC-FID
Highlights
Among persistent organic pollutants (POPs), chlorobenzenes are some of the most frequently encountered compounds in aqueous systems
solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) fibre coating Fibres coated with polyacrylate (PA) and polydimethlylsiloxane (PDMS) were tested for extraction efficiency
The results show that the technique of immersing the SPME fibre coupled with analysis by GC-flame ionisation detector (FID) is viable for routine monitoring of dam water samples for the presence of chlorinated benzenes
Summary
Among persistent organic pollutants (POPs), chlorobenzenes are some of the most frequently encountered compounds in aqueous systems. Chlorobenzene compounds are listed as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (He et al, 2000) Excessive exposure to these compounds affects the central nervous system, irritates skin and upper respiratory tract, hardens skin and leads to haematological disorders including anaemia (Kozani et al, 2007; Khajeh et al, 2006). In spite of these harmful effects, chlorobenzenes are still used widely as process solvents and raw materials in the manufacture of pesticides, chlorinated phenols, lubricants, disinfectants, pigments and dyes (Grosjean, 1991; Vidal et al, 2007). In the light of the above, it is imperative to continuously monitor the levels of chlorinated benzenes in all types of surface waters, using a low-cost but sensitive method
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