Optimisation of a programmed split–splitless injector in the gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric determination of organochlorine pesticides

Large-volume injection techniques in gas chromatography are used to compensate for the at times limited detection sensitivity of mass spectrometric detection. In this work a programmed split–splitless injector in solvent split mode was employed to determine organochlorine pesticides in environmental samples. The injection conditions were selected by a Plackett-Burman design followed by a central composite design. The LODs obtained in the optimum conditions were compared with those obtained with splitless-MS and splitless-ECD. Finally, the method was applied to a soil sample.