title: Micro versus macro solid phase extraction for monitoring water contaminants: a preliminary study using trihalomethanes.
abstract: Solid phase extraction is one of the most commonly used pre-concentration and cleanup steps in environmental science. However, traditional methods need electrically powered pumps, can use large volumes of solvent (if multiple samples are run), and require several hours to filter a sample. Additionally, if the cartridge is open to the air volatile compounds may be lost and sample integrity compromised. In contrast, micro cartridge based solid phase extraction can be completed in less than 2 min by hand, uses only microlitres of solvent and provides comparable concentration factors to established methods. It is also an enclosed system so volatile components are not lost. The sample can also be eluted directly into a detector (e.g. a mass spectrometer) if required. However, the technology is new and has not been much used for environmental analysis. In this study we compare traditional (macro) and the new micro solid phase extraction for the analysis of four common volatile trihalomethanes (trichloromethane, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and tribromomethane). The results demonstrate that micro solid phase extraction is faster and cheaper than traditional methods with similar recovery rates for the target compounds. This method shows potential for further development in a range of applications.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Lydon D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Alexandrou
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle J S
authors.initials: MJS
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Meehan
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia. Electronic address: Oliver.Jones@rmit.edu.au.
authors.forename: Oliver A H
authors.initials: OAH
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D002725:Chloroform / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002725:Chloroform
keywords: Electron capture detection; Micro solid phase extraction; Trihalomethanes; Water