Solid-phase microextraction for the analysis of short-chain chlorinated paraffins in water samples

A novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method coupled to gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC–ECD) was developed as an alternative to liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction for the analysis of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in water samples. The extraction efficiency of five different commercially available fibres was evaluated and the 100-μm polydimethylsiloxane coating was the most suitable for the absorption of the SCCPs. Optimisation of several SPME parameters, such as extraction time and temperature, ionic strength and desorption time, was performed. Quality parameters were established using Milli-Q, tap water and river water. Linearity ranged between 0.06 and 6 μg l−1 for spiked Milli-Q water and between 0.6 and 6 μg l−1 for natural waters. The precision of the SPME–GC–ECD method for the three aqueous matrices was similar and gave relative standard deviations (RSD) between 12 and 14%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.02 μg l−1 for Milli-Q water and 0.3 μg l−1 for both tap water and river water. The optimised SPME–GC–ECD method was successfully applied to the determination of SCCPs in river water samples.