Development of an environmentally friendly methodological approach to determine chlorinated hydrocarbons and chlorobenzenes in soils

Abstract

A modified version of the quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged, and safe method is proposed for the determination of chlorinated pollutants in soil samples. Measurements were collected using a programmed temperature vaporizer coupled to a gas chromatograph and a μ-electron capture detector. The optimization and validation of this extraction technique for these compounds in soils have been performed in order to provide an alternative tool for determining these kinds of pollutants in soils. Advantages over conventional extraction techniques include the applicability to compounds of very different volatilities and polarities, the low cost of the reagents employed, and the possibility of being used by nonspecialist operators, with standard analytical tools. This method can be considered more environmentally friendly, due to the reduction of solvent and energy consumption and to the elimination of harmful organic solvents, reducing the negative impact of chemical analyses on the environment (principles of green analytical chemistry). © 2014 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.