Determination of semivolatile organic compounds in environmental samples by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after extraction by cyclic steam distillation

Abstract

A method was developed for the multiple determination of semivolatile organic compounds found in groundwater, river water, seawater, sediment, and soil. Forty standard compounds were determined: n-alkenes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The compounds were isolated from water and soil samples by using an essential oil distillator (cyclic steam distillator) with hexane as a solvent. The extract was cleaned by using a silica gel cartridge with an acetone-hexane solution. The compounds were determined by using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer with 12 stable isotope-labeled compounds (surrogate compounds). The efficiencies of recoveries from water samples were 80.0-106% for groundwater, 80.1-106% for river water, and 81.2-103% for seawater. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values were 2.05-16.0% for groundwater, 3.22-16.6% for river water, and 4.45-16.0% for seawater. The efficiencies of recoveries from sediment and soil were 71.5-96.4% and 70.1-99.8%, respectively. RSD values ranged from 2.27 to 16.0% for sediment and from 2.12 to 15.1 % for soil. Adjustment of recovery efficiencies of standard compounds by using surrogate compounds gave more accurate values. The present study proved that an essential oil distillator provides satisfactory results for multiple determinations of the semivolatile compounds in environmental waters, sediment, and soil.