Element-selective detection of pesticides by gas chromatography, atomic emission detection, and solid-phase microextraction

The analysis of samples contaminated by organic compounds, especially pesticides, is an important tool of environmental monitoring. A new isolation method has been developed for the determination of pesticides in environmental water samples using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Thus, the extraction and preconcentration steps of sample preparation are focused in a single process step. For the determiantion of organophosphorus pesticides using SPME extraction and preconcentration steps a GC-atomic emission detection coupling system was used. This coupling technique is a very selective analytical tool. Element-characteristic chromatograms acquired by using different element emission lines can be obtained, enhancing the selectivity of the method in environmental monitoring, and they can be used to identify even unknown compounds in environmental samples. (abstract truncated)