Application of a solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography method to quantify phenolic compounds in woodwaste leachate

Abstract

Woodwaste produces large volumes of leachate, which often contains high concentrations of phenolic compounds. These compounds are environmental contaminants whose proper management and treatment are mandated to reduce associated environmental impacts. Quality diagnostic and treatment efficiency assessments necessitate the development of rapid, accurate, and reproducible methods of detection and analysis to accurately quantify phenolic compounds. Liquid chromatography (LC) analysis with ultraviolet (UV) detection and solid-phase extraction (SPE) sample preparation on Oasis HLB cartridges were performed and adapted to quantify eight priority phenolic compounds in woodwaste leachate. The method was validated on a synthetic solution simulating the woodwaste leachate, on spiked real woodwaste leachate to 1 μg mL-1, and applied to quantify phenolic compounds in the real woodwaste leachate. Calibration curves were linear for all compounds in the range of 1-30 μg mL-1, and high recoveries varying between 93.5% for 2-chlorophenol and 112.8% for 4-nitrophenol were obtained. Detection limits ranged from 0.06 μg L-1 for 2-chlorophenol to 0.129 μg L-1 for phenol. The proposed method reduced interference, background noise, analysis time, amount of organic solvents and is less costly when compared with other methods. © IWA Publishing 2014.