Literature

Improving automated SPE disk extraction technology for semi-volatile compounds in groundwater using EPA method 8270E

Written by Biotage | Dec 6, 2025 5:15:00 AM

Introduction


Semi volatile organic compounds (SVOC) have a variety of chemical properties that have been found to cause harmful effects to both humans and the environment. Accurate measurements are challenging to obtain because SVOCs readily adsorb onto surfaces, and are found in common household items such as cleaning agents, personal care products, electrical components, pesticides, water and food. Effects to health depend on the chemical nature of the compound in conjunction with the degree of exposure, yet have been known to include allergenic symptoms, reproductive and endocrine issues. Laboratories around the world measure these compounds in water, soil, and leachates from waste sites. US EPA Method 8270E can be used to determine the concentration of SVOCs extracted from liquid, solid and leachate samples in effort to limit exposure and the spread of these persistent organic pollutants.1

While almost all laboratories test for fewer than the full list of 243 compounds included in the method, typical laboratories will often measure a large suite of 80 to 100 compounds. Compound classes that can be extracted using this method include: polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and pesticides, phthalate esters, organophosphate esters, nitrosamines, halo ethers, aldehydes, ethers, ketones, anilines, pyridines, quinolines, aromatic nitro compounds, and phenols.

This application note will demonstrate the results of Initial Demonstration of Proficiency (IDP) evaluations for compliance with US EPA Method 8270E to deter- mine a list of 114 semi-volatile organic compounds that are neutral, acidic, and basic. In addition to the IDP, a typical groundwater sample will be evaluated and contains a different matrix and particulate content than seen in the IDP. The Matrix Spike (MS)/ Matrix Spike Duplicate (MSD) will demonstrated. Solid phase extraction is described as a suitable sample preparation alternative in Method 8270 and companion method US EPA 3535 outlines the general use of SPE. Suitable sorbent material in disk format for this list of analytes and a modern system for automation will be demonstrated.2
 

Experimental

 

The SVOCs in this method were extracted using automated sample preparation solutions for solid phase extraction (SPE), drying and concentration. The samples were extracted using an Atlantic® One Pass Disk (Biotage) which is a mixed mode disk containing several functionalities. Two different pre filters, Atlantic Fast Flow 1 μm and 5 μm (Biotage) with a fine mesh screen were used, as well as a Carbon Cartridge (Biotage) to ensure adequate retention of difficult to obtain light end compounds, such as NDMA and N-Nitrosomethyl ethylamine.

The Fast Flow Disk Holder was used with the samples because groundwater and leachate samples can at times, have varying levels of particulate matter. The Fast Flow Disk Holder uses a 47 mm disk, but allows larger diameter pre-filters to be placed on top to shield the SPE disk from particulates that may cause clogging, and maintain fast sample flow through the disk. The particulates are retained on the filters and washed with solvent during the elution steps, so any compounds that have been adsorbed on the particulates will be included in the extract.

The extraction was completed using the Biotage® Horizon 5000 (previously known as the SPE-DEX® 5000) (Figure 1); an automated extractor which allows various types of liquid samples to be processed directly from the original sample container. The system includes intuitive software for easy programming, and automatic sample and solvent delivery.
The one liter samples were spiked and acidified to pH2 with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and placed on the Biotage® Horizon 5000. Each of the three positions on the Biotage® Horizon 5000 was set up with the One Pass Kit (Biotage). The resulting extracts were dried using DryDisk® Membranes (Biotage) and concentrated with a DryVap™* (Biotage) (Figure 2) for automatic in-line drying and concentration.

The extraction method used with the Biotage® Horizon 5000 is shown in Table 1. The conditions for operating the DryVap™ are shown in Table 2. Most of the steps using the Biotage® Horizon 5000 were completely automated and require no operator intervention. For the few steps where a new flask is required for an elution step, a clear message is shown in the software to make the operation of the system simple to follow.


Figure 1. Biotage® Horizon 5000 (previously known as the SPE-DEX 5000) Extractor with One-pass System

*The DryVap™ system has been discontinued. We recommend using the TurboVap® evaporation systems for achieving equivalent results.

Figure 2. DryVap™ System.

 

Table 1. Biotage® Horizon 5000 Extraction Method.

Step

Operation

Message

Attachment

1

Pause with message

Part 1 of 3: Neutrals and Acids Elution. Have the Fast Flow Disk Holder with One Pass disk, 1 µm filter, 5 µm filter, top screen over the filters, 250 mL collection flask, and carbon cartridge installed. The down spout of the water in valve must push down on the top screen. Click “Continue” to start Part 1.

None

Step

Operation

Solvent

Solvent Vol. (mL)

Purge Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

Sat. Time (s)

Soak Time (s)

Drain Time (s)

2

Condition SPE

Acetone

40

60

4

2

60

60

Step

Operation

Sample Flow Rate (#)

Done Loading Sample Delay (s)

 

3

Load Sample

5

45

 

 

 

 

 

Step

Operation

Solvent

Solvent Vol. (mL)

Purge Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

N2 Blanket

Sat. Time (s)

Soak Time (s)

Drain Time (s)

4

Wash Sample Container

Reagent Water

20

30

4

Off

2

5

30

Step

Operation

 

Dry Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

N2 Blanket

 

 

 

 

5

Air Dry Disk Timer

 

360

6

Off

 

Step

Operation

Solvent

Solvent Vol. (mL)

Purge Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

N2 Blanket

Sat. Time (s)

Soak Time (s)

Elute Time (s)

6

Elute Sample Container

Acetone

20

20

4

Off

2

180

180

7

Elute Sample

Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

2

180

180

8

Elute Sample

Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

2

120

120

9

Elute Sample

Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

2

120

120

10

Elute Sample

Container

MeCl2

17

15

6

Off

2

120

180

Step

Operation

Message

Attachment

11

Pause with Message

Part 2 of 3: Ion Exchange Elution. Remove the 250 mL collection flask containing the neutrals and acids elution. Stopper the flask and set aside for part 3. Then install a clean 125 mL flask to collect the ion exchange elution. Click “Continue” to Start Part 2.

None

Step

Operation

Solvent

Solvent Vol. (mL)

Purge Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

N2 Blanket

Sat. Time (s)

Soak Time (s)

Elute Time (s)

12

Elute Sample Container

Acetone

20

20

4

Off

2

0

180

13

Elute Sample Container

1% NH4OH

20

30

4

Off

2

120

120

14

Elute Sample Container

Acetone

20

20

4

Off

2

180

120

15

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

2

180

180

16

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

16

15

4

Off

2

120

180

17

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

16

15

4

Off

2

120

180

18

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

16

15

6

Off

2

120

180

Step

Operation

Message

Attachment

19

Pause with Message

Part 3 of 3: Carbon Cartridge Elution. Remove the carbon cartridge from the tubing lines. Connect the tubing ends together. Using a 20 cc syringe, plunge the carbon cartridge with air through the cap adapter to reseat the carbon bed on the frit. Replace the cap adapter with the funnel cartridge. Replace the disk holder with the cartridge. Replace the 125 mL flask with the 250 mL flask containing the neutrals and acids elution from Part 1. Stopper the 125 mL flask. Click “Continue” to start part 3.

None

Step

Operation

Dry Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

N2

Blanket

 

 

 

 

20

Air Dry Disk Timer

60

6

Off

 

 

 

 

Step

Operation

Solvent

Solvent Vol. (mL)

Purge Time (s)

Pump Rate (#)

N2 Blanket

Sat. Time (s)

Soak Time (s)

Elute Time (s)

21

Elute Sample Container

Acetone

25

20

4

Off

3

60

60

22

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

3

60

20

23

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

3

60

20

24

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

3

60

20

25

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

17

15

4

Off

3

60

20

26

Elute Sample Container

MeCl2

17

15

6

Off

3

60

60

 

The samples were measured using GC/MS (6890GC/5975CMS, Agilent Technology). Operational conditions are shown in Table 3. All spiking standard solutions used were from Supelco, Bellefonte, PA. The surrogate mixes were from Restek Corp., Bellefonte, PA. Samples were spiked with 50 µ/L of analytes.

Table 2. DryVap™ System Conditions.

Parameter

Setting

Dry Volume

200 mL

Heat Power

 

Heat Timer

OFF

Auto Rinse Mode

OFF

Nitrogen Sparge

20 psi

Vacuum

-7 in. Hg


Table 3. GC/MS Conditions.

Injection

 

Volume

1 µL

Inlet Temperature

280 °C

Mode

Splitless

Gas Type

Helium

Cartridge

Zebron™ ZB-Semi volatiles (Phenomenex)

Mode

Consistent Flow

Oven Program

45 °C hold for 1 min to 270 °C at 15 °C/min then to 318 °C at 6 °C/min

MS Ions Monitored

Scan masses 35–550

Results and discussion


Prior to implementation of the sample preparation method, Section 9.4 requires each laboratory to complete an Initial Demonstration of Proficiency (IDP) by performing at least four replicate reference samples, taken through the entire Vacuum -7 in. Hg sample preparation and analysis steps. EPA Method 8270E key to analyte list in Section 1.1 suggests that method operation is considered appropriate if average recovery falls between 50–150 %. This note explains that actual recoveries may vary depending on the sample matrix, number of constituents being analysed concurrently, analytical instrumentation, and the preparation method used. The note also includes a list of compounds that have historically been considered problematic (Section 1.4 ). Section 13.1 suggests that performance criteria should be developed on a project-specific basis, and the laboratory should establish in-house QC performance criteria for the application of this method, and use the method criteria is for guidance purposes only.

Table 4 presents data obtained for 4 consecutive runs completed as an IDP study per Section 9.4 with the use of Biotage suite of automated sample preparation equipment. For all compounds except for those of which EPA Method 8270E considers to be problematic (e.g., pyridine, NDMA, hexachlorocyclopentadiene and 2-picoline), average recovery fell in the 50–150% recovery range, and most were better, showing this preparation technique to be acceptable. Standard Deviation for this set of data was found to be 0.77–13 demonstrating reproducibility of results. Blank results are also shown (surrogate recoveries not shown) to indicate the low level of contamination in the process.

Matrix effects on method performance is documented by the Mode Consistent Flow analysis of an unspiked duplicate pair or a matrix spike (MS) and Oven Program matrix spike duplicate (MSD). Since the groundwater samples spike and matrix spike duplicate pair was performed as indicated in the method. Results for the MS/MSD are shown in Table 5 and MS Ions Monitored Scan masses 35–550 meet the criteria listed in Method 8270E for compliance having average percent recoveries fall within 50–150% for all compounds analysed; except those of which EPA Method 8270E considers to be problematic. Relative Percent Difference (RPD) between the data sets was observed to be well below the generally accepted 20% RPD, except for one pair of hexachlorocyclopentadiene (light sensitive) MS/MSD pairs, where the RPD was 25%.
The data presented is normalized to demonstrate the extraction efficiency of compounds in EPA Method 8270E and to eliminate any external sources of error from the analytical instrumentation.

 

Table 4. Initial Demonstration of Proficiency (IDP).

Compounds:

% Rec

% Rec

% Rec

% Rec

Average Recovery %

SD

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene

72.0

72.1

68.1

73.2

71.4

2.2

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

72.0

71.2

68.9

70.4

70.6

1.3

1,2-Dichlorobenzene

59.6

61.7

58.7

61.4

60.4

1.4

1,3,5,-Trinitrobenzene

87.0

85.6

86.9

89.7

87.3

1.7

1,3-Dichlorobenzene

53.9

57.8

55.2

57.1

56.0

1.8

1,3-Dinitrobenzene

91.2

88.6

91.9

93.2

91.2

1.9

1,4-Dichlorobenzene

56.4

60.0

56.6

59.5

58.1

1.9

1,4-Naphthoquinone

86.0

76.2

74.2

71.0

76.9

6.5

1-Naphthylamine

99.5

84.4

96.0

91.9

93.0

6.5

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol

93.2

90.8

91.3

94.3

92.4

1.6

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol

89.6

87.5

88.9

91.1

89.3

1.5

2,4,6-Tribromophenol

93.3

92.6

94.3

95.2

93.8

1.2

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol

91.0

88.9

89.5

91.8

90.3

1.3

2,4-Dichlorophenol

91.0

89.0

90.2

90.5

90.2

0.83

2,4-Dimethylphenol

87.5

83.6

87.7

87.7

86.6

2.0

2,4-Dinitrophenol

80.0

79.7

79.5

84.4

80.9

2.3

2,4-Dinitrotoluene

93.4

91.4

93.2

94.4

93.1

1.3

2,6-Dichlorophenol

89.5

87.2

87.7

90.0

88.6

1.4

2,6-Dinitrotoluene

95.4

91.4

95.0

94.9

94.2

1.9

2-Chloronaphthalene

82.9

81.4

81.4

82.5

82.1

0.77

2-Chlorophenol

79.9

78.4

77.3

78.4

78.5

1.1

2-Fluorobiphenyl

83.4

80.1

81.7

83.3

82.1

1.6

2-Fluorophenol

55.0

61.1

56.1

57.6

57.5

2.6

2-Methyl phenol

81.9

83.5

82.4

83.3

82.8

0.77

2-Methylnaphthalene

81.2

80.4

79.8

80.9

80.6

0.61

2-Naphthylamine

124

111

118

121

118

5.6

2-Nitroaniline

93.5

93.1

95.5

96.4

94.6

1.6

2-Nitrophenol

79.5

79.4

77.3

80.6

79.2

1.4

2-Picoline

44.6

48.5

45.0

47.9

46.5

2.0

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine

107

97.3

102

106

103

4.2

3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine

129

109

114

126

119

9.6

3+4 Methyl phenol

83.7

85.4

85.1

86.9

85.3

1.3

3-Methylcholanthrene

88.4

82.5

89.1

91.1

87.8

3.7

3-Nitroaniline

110

105

107

110

108

2.2

4 Aminobiphenyl

129

128

119

129

126

5.0

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol

89.6

86.9

88.6

90.3

88.9

1.4

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether

88.6

89.6

90.3

91.7

90.0

1.3

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol

93.0

92.0

94.2

95.9

93.8

1.7

4-Chloroaniline

124

119

120

124

122

2.9

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether

86.7

87.1

88.5

88.6

87.7

0.96

4-Nitroaniline

90.7

89.9

89.2

90.0

90.0

0.64

4-Nitrophenol

89.1

87.8

92.3

92.4

90.4

2.3

Compounds:

% Rec

% Rec

% Rec

% Rec

Average Recovery %

SD

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide

93.0

91.7

91.6

96.0

93.1

2.0

5-nitro-o-toluidine

103

99.3

102

104

102

2.1

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene

87.8

82.1

87.4

90.2

86.9

3.4

Acenaphthene

86.2

84.4

86.5

86.0

85.8

0.94

Acenaphthylene

87.5

85.4

86.7

87.1

86.7

0.89

Acetophenone

80.2

78.4

76.0

77.8

78.1

1.7

Acetylaminofluorene

102

100

100

102

101

0.97

Aniline

89.8

85.1

81.2

84.4

85.1

3.5

Anthracene

89.8

89.2

90.6

93.0

90.6

1.7

Azobenzene

91.8

89.7

91.4

92.0

91.2

1.0

Benz(a)anthracene

93.6

92.2

92.2

94.4

93.1

1.1

Benzidine

109.5

76.9

89.3

90.9

91.7

13

Benzo(a)pyrene

90.1

88.7

88.8

92.1

89.9

1.6

Benzo(b)fluoranthene

91.2

89.5

89.5

93.8

91.0

2.0

Benzo(ghi)perylene

94.2

91.5

91.9

95.3

93.2

1.8

Benzo(k)fluoranthene

94.0

92.1

91.4

92.5

92.5

1.1

Benzoic acid

61.2

68.7

62.9

68.5

65.3

3.8

Benzyl alcohol

84.8

82.9

83.4

82.6

83.4

0.97

Bis(2-chlorethoxy)methane

88.5

84.3

84.8

84.9

85.6

1.9

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether

72.2

71.6

68.7

71.0

70.9

1.5

Bis(2chloroisopropyl)ether

75.2

74.1

71.0

73.2

73.4

1.8

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

103

103

103

106

104

1.3

Butyl benzyl phthalate

98.7

97.4

98.5

99.3

98.5

0.77

Carbazole

95.4

93.6

95.4

95.0

94.8

0.86

Chrysene

92.6

93.3

91.0

94.6

92.9

1.5

cis-Isosafrole

85.9

84.0

83.8

84.4

84.5

0.96

Dibenz(ah)anthracene

92.9

88.0

86.7

90.6

89.6

2.7

Dibenzofuran

87.8

86.7

87.7

87.9

87.5

0.54

Diethyl phthalate

96.8

94.3

97.5

97.2

96.4

1.4

Dimethyl phthalate

95.0

92.6

94.8

94.8

94.3

1.1

Dimethylaminoazobenzene

97.3

93.4

97.3

95.9

96.0

1.8

Di-n-butyl phthalate

101

99.0

102

102

101

1.4

Di-n-octyl phthalate

101

101

102

103

102

0.98

Dinoseb

91.1

91.8

93.1

94.1

92.5

1.4

Diphenylamine

94.2

90.6

94.6

93.9

93.3

1.8

Ethylmethane Sulfonate

81.5

75.2

75.9

75.9

77.1

2.9

Fluoranthene

93.3

92.8

93.4

94.9

93.6

0.93

Fluorene

89.2

87.3

88.1

89.3

88.5

0.96

Hexachlorobenzene

88.3

90.0

89.3

92.6

90.0

1.8

Hexachlorobutadiene

54.3

54.4

50.6

54.4

53.4

1.9

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene

49.2

45.9

39.2

40.6

43.7

4.6

Hexachloroethane

53.9

58.4

53.9

57.2

55.8

2.3

Hexachloropropene

54.7

55.1

52.3

54.7

54.2

1.3

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene

91.5

90.0

89.0

94.1

91.1

2.2

Compounds:

% Rec

% Rec

% Rec

% Rec

Average Recovery %

SD

Isophorone

86.2

83.2

82.6

83.6

83.9

1.6

Methapyrilene

89.5

87.0

89.0

88.8

88.6

1.1

Methyl Methane Sulfonate

54.5

49.9

58.2

60.5

55.8

4.6

Naphthalene

77.0

75.4

73.6

75.3

75.3

1.4

NDMA

38.0

39.6

47.7

50.0

43.8

5.9

Nitrobenzene

78.0

76.9

73.9

76.4

76.3

1.7

Nitrobenzene-d5

79.0

77.0

74.5

77.2

76.9

1.8

N-Nitroso-diethylamine

69.8

69.0

67.2

69.1

68.8

1.1

N-nitroso-di-n-butylamine

89.9

89.0

90.6

91.2

90.2

0.94

N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine

80.9

77.7

77.0

79.5

78.8

1.8

N-Nitrosomethyl ethylamine

61.0

62.2

62.2

65.3

62.7

1.8

N-Nitroso-morpholine

88.2

84.9

86.0

88.0

86.8

1.6

N-Nitroso-piperidine

84.6

81.9

81.4

83.2

82.8

1.4

N-Nitroso-pyrrolidine

83.4

79.8

81.8

84.5

82.4

2.0

o-toluidine

102

95.1

91.3

97.1

96.3

4.3

Pentachlorobenzene

79.1

79.6

78.8

82.1

79.9

1.5

Pentachloroethane

55.5

60.2

56.9

59.8

58.1

2.3

Pentachloronitrobenzene

92.6

91.3

89.9

93.2

91.8

1.5

Pentachlorophenol

88.2

88.8

88.2

92.8

89.5

2.2

Phenacetin

93.6

94.8

95.0

96.6

95.0

1.2

Phenanthrene

90.1

90.2

91.3

92.6

91.0

1.2

Phenol

56.1

57.5

58.4

57.0

57.2

0.95

Phenol-d5

56.8

57.3

58.1

57.7

57.5

0.56

p-Terphenyl-d14

93.9

91.9

89.3

93.9

92.3

2.2

Pyrene

93.1

91.6

92.7

94.2

92.9

1.1

Pyridine

31.4

36.1

32.5

35.6

33.9

2.3

Safrole

88.1

84.3

87.5

86.3

86.5

1.7

trans-Isosafrole

85.8

87.2

85.3

87.2

86.4

1.0

 

Table 5. Matrix Spike (MS) and Matrix Spike Duplicate (MSD) Results - Ground Water.

Compounds:

MSD-1 Rec

MSD-1 % Rec

Avg (%)

RPD

MSD-2 % Rec

MSD-2 % Rec

Avg (%)

RPD

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene

78.8

65.1

72.0

9.5

72.1

72.7

72.4

0.43

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

73.5

65.0

69.2

6.1

70.9

72.9

71.9

1.4

1,2-Dichlorobenzene

61.8

54.9

58.4

5.9

61.6

66.8

64.2

4.1

1,3,5,-Trinitrobenzene

91.1

85.4

88.2

3.2

84.0

84.0

84.0

0.04

1,3-Dichlorobenzene

56.8

50.2

53.5

6.2

57.4

62.7

60.0

4.4

1,3-Dinitrobenzene

96.6

88.7

92.7

4.3

89.1

86.1

87.6

1.7

1,4-Dichlorobenzene

59.0

51.4

55.2

6.9

59.1

63.9

61.5

3.9

1,4-Naphthoquinone

86.7

72.0

79.4

9.3

76.8

75.1

76.0

1.1

1-Naphthylamine

103

89.5

96.2

7.0

85.3

81.5

83.4

2.3

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol

94.1

87.0

90.6

3.9

89.0

88.3

88.7

0.41

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol

89.8

85.9

87.9

2.3

87.4

86.1

86.8

0.70

2,4,6-Tribromophenol

95.6

90.8

93.2

2.6

90.2

91.9

91.1

0.94

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol

91.9

86.2

89.1

3.2

88.6

86.9

87.8

0.98

2,4-Dichlorophenol

92.6

86.2

89.4

3.6

87.7

87.9

87.8

0.13

2,4-Dimethylphenol

90.0

83.9

86.9

3.5

86.6

84.8

85.7

1.1

2,4-Dinitrophenol

82.5

76.5

79.5

3.8

77.4

76.9

77.1

0.35

2,4-Dinitrotoluene

96.1

88.1

92.1

4.3

88.6

87.4

88.0

0.69

2,6-Dichlorophenol

90.6

85.1

87.8

3.1

87.8

87.6

87.7

0.14

2,6-Dinitrotoluene

95.5

89.8

92.7

3.1

90.5

88.6

89.6

1.1

2-Chloronaphthalene

85.9

76.7

81.3

5.6

80.4

80.6

80.5

0.12

2-Chlorophenol

80.8

75.0

77.9

3.7

78.4

82.2

80.3

2.4

2-Fluorobiphenyl

87.6

79.0

83.3

5.2

83.6

83.1

83.3

0.29

2-Fluorophenol

71.5

58.6

65.1

9.9

66.7

66.3

66.5

0.36

2-Methyl phenol

87.4

81.9

84.7

3.3

84.1

84.7

84.4

0.34

2-Methylnaphthalene

83.4

76.8

80.1

4.1

79.3

80.7

80.0

0.85

2-Naphthylamine

127

112

120

6.5

109

108

108

0.06

2-Nitroaniline

97.5

90.5

94.0

3.7

92.3

89.6

91.0

1.5

2-Nitrophenol

83.5

75.3

79.4

5.1

81.5

81.5

81.5

0.00

2-Picoline

47.0

42.0

44.5

5.6

47.6

49.6

48.6

2.0

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine

109

102

105

3.3

99.9

98.2

99.1

0.88

3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine

129

117

123

5.0

110

102

106

3.7

3+4 Methyl phenol

89.8

83.7

86.8

3.5

84.5

86.3

85.4

1.0

3-Methylcholanthrene

90.4

84.7

87.5

3.3

80.0

82.6

81.3

1.6

3-Nitroaniline

111

99

105

5.6

104

102

103

0.99

4 Aminobiphenyl

127

123

125

1.6

123

116

120

2.8

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol

91.6

86.5

89.1

2.9

83.0

83.7

83.3

0.42

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether

91.5

84.9

88.2

3.7

86.1

86.4

86.3

0.13

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol

96.7

90.1

93.4

3.5

89.5

90.2

89.9

0.42

4-Chloroaniline

129

117

123

5.0

118

117

117

0.51

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether

89.4

82.2

85.8

4.2

84.3

83.9

84.1

0.25

 

Compounds:

MSD-1 Rec

MSD-1 % Rec

Avg (%)

RPD

MSD-2 % Rec

MSD-2 % Rec

Avg (%)

RPD

4-Nitroaniline

95.4

85.7

90.6

5.3

87.1

85.3

86.2

1.0

4-Nitrophenol

90.7

90.1

90.4

0.3

86.2

88.3

87.2

1.2

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide

97.9

89.2

93.6

4.6

86.7

87.6

87.2

0.49

5-nitro-o-toluidine

105

96.2

101

4.6

95.7

93.1

94.4

1.3

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene

88.8

83.9

86.4

2.8

79.4

84.3

81.8

3.0

Acenaphthene

89.0

81.3

85.2

4.5

82.5

83.1

82.8

0.33

Acenaphthylene

88.8

82.3

85.5

3.8

83.9

83.9

83.9

0.01

Acetophenone

80.7

72.8

76.7

5.1

77.4

80.9

79.2

2.2

Acetylaminofluorene

102

96.5

99.3

2.8

96.8

96.8

96.8

0.00

Aniline

91.9

79.2

85.5

7.4

84.7

86.0

85.3

0.77

Anthracene

92.9

84.7

88.8

4.6

86.2

87.1

86.6

0.52

Azobenzene

93.1

86.0

89.6

4.0

87.7

86.9

87.3

0.47

Benz(a)anthracene

92.8

88.4

90.6

2.5

89.0

90.3

89.6

0.71

Benzidine

103

88.1

95.5

7.7

70.4

80.2

75.3

6.5

Benzo(a)pyrene

90.3

85.4

87.9

2.8

85.6

86.9

86.3

0.77

Benzo(b)fluoranthene

92.3

86.4

89.4

3.3

87.4

88.7

88.0

0.74

Benzo(ghi)perylene

93.6

87.6

90.6

3.3

90.8

90.7

90.8

0.07

Benzo(k)fluoranthene

94.0

88.6

91.3

3.0

88.4

89.8

89.1

0.81

Benzoic acid

71.2

63.9

67.6

5.4

70.4

64.7

67.6

4.2

Benzyl alcohol

85.4

74.9

80.1

6.5

82.2

84.0

83.1

1.1

Bis(2-chlorethoxy)methane

88.6

82.1

85.3

3.8

83.7

85.8

84.8

1.2

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether

72.0

64.4

68.2

5.6

70.1

76.4

73.3

4.3

Bis(2chloroisopropyl)ether

75.3

67.2

71.3

5.7

72.6

78.1

75.4

3.7

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

101

98.0

99.5

1.5

95.7

98.2

97.0

1.3

Butyl benzyl phthalate

97.5

93.3

95.4

2.2

92.3

94.9

93.6

1.4

Carbazole

98.0

90.8

94.4

3.8

90.8

91.1

91.0

0.21

Chrysene

92.9

86.8

89.9

3.4

88.3

90.1

89.2

1.0

cis-Isosafrole

88.1

80.7

84.4

4.4

82.2

84.3

83.3

1.2

Dibenz(ah)anthracene

87.4

83.2

85.3

2.5

85.6

85.9

85.7

0.20

Dibenzofuran

90.2

83.3

86.7

3.9

84.1

84.5

84.3

0.19

Diethyl phthalate

98.9

92.2

95.6

3.5

91.4

91.2

91.3

0.088

Dimethyl phthalate

96.6

89.6

93.1

3.7

90.5

89.3

89.9

0.66

Dimethylaminoazobenzene

96.7

93.9

95.3

1.5

89.8

92.8

91.3

1.7

Di-n-butyl phthalate

102

97.5

99.7

2.2

95.6

96.1

95.9

0.26

Di-n-octyl phthalate

99.5

95.3

97.4

2.2

93.7

96.8

95.2

1.6

Dinoseb

94.4

91.7

93.1

1.5

85.8

89.4

87.6

2.1

Diphenylamine

95.8

88.9

92.3

3.7

89.4

88.7

89.1

0.38

Ethylmethane Sulfonate

78.7

72.0

75.3

4.5

75.0

81.6

78.3

4.2

Fluoranthene

95.9

88.1

92.0

4.2

89.8

90.1

89.9

0.17

Fluorene

89.4

83.5

86.5

3.4

85.0

84.5

84.8

0.27

Hexachlorobenzene

91.0

84.6

87.8

3.6

87.0

87.0

87.0

0.023

Hexachlorobutadiene

63.1

47.6

55.4

14

55.1

58.7

56.9

3.1

 

Compounds:

MSD-1 Rec

MSD-1 % Rec

Avg (%)

RPD

MSD-2 % Rec

MSD-2 % Rec

Avg (%)

RPD

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene

64.3

38.5

51.4

25

46.8

46.8

46.8

0.021

Hexachloroethane

56.0

49.2

52.6

6.5

55.9

61.9

58.9

5.1

Hexachloropropene

60.5

50.8

55.6

8.7

56.2

59.6

57.9

2.9

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene

91.6

86.4

89.0

2.9

88.4

89.4

88.9

0.54

Isophorone

86.5

79.7

83.1

4.1

82.8

83.3

83.0

0.31

Methapyrilene

90.0

84.9

87.5

2.9

84.2

84.7

84.5

0.28

Methyl Methane Sulfonate

55.6

53.2

54.4

2.2

48.9

64.2

56.6

14

Naphthalene

79.1

70.4

74.8

5.8

76.3

78.0

77.2

1.2

NDMA

41.1

39.6

40.4

1.9

37.4

52.4

44.9

17

Nitrobenzene

78.2

72.2

75.2

4.0

75.8

79.6

77.7

2.4

Nitrobenzene-d5

80.2

73.3

76.7

4.5

78.8

81.5

80.1

1.7

N-Nitroso-diethylamine

71.1

62.6

66.9

6.3

68.4

75.1

71.8

4.7

N-nitroso-di-n-butylamine

91.5

86.5

89.0

2.8

86.7

86.4

86.5

0.16

N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine

80.1

79.2

79.6

0.6

75.7

80.6

78.2

3.1

N-Nitrosomethyl ethylamine

62.1

54.9

58.5

6.2

61.7

70.1

65.9

6.3

N-Nitroso-morpholine

88.2

80.1

84.2

4.9

82.8

88.4

85.6

3.3

N-Nitroso-piperidine

84.4

78.3

81.3

3.8

79.6

82.8

81.2

2.0

N-Nitroso-pyrrolidine

83.7

79.9

81.8

2.3

78.7

82.3

80.5

2.3

o-toluidine

101

91.4

96.3

5.1

91.6

91.7

91.7

0.0

Pentachlorobenzene

83.3

73.7

78.5

6.1

77.2

78.8

78.0

1.0

Pentachloroethane

58.4

51.5

54.9

6.3

59.2

64.5

61.8

4.3

Pentachloronitrobenzene

94.1

87.2

90.7

3.8

87.5

87.7

87.6

0.13

Pentachlorophenol

90.7

86.0

88.4

2.7

85.9

86.6

86.3

0.39

Phenacetin

97.9

91.4

94.7

3.4

91.8

90.1

90.9

0.92

Phenanthrene

93.8

86.4

90.1

4.1

87.7

88.2

88.0

0.28

Phenol

68.7

56.2

62.5

10

59.8

62.0

60.9

1.8

Phenol-d5

69.3

57.0

63.2

9.8

62.2

63.4

62.8

1.0

p-Terphenyl-d14

92.1

86.9

89.5

2.9

89.5

90.4

89.9

0.47

Pyrene

94.8

86.7

90.7

4.4

89.2

89.3

89.2

0.045

Pyridine

32.2

29.9

31.1

3.7

34.6

35.2

34.9

0.86

Safrole

88.9

83.0

86.0

3.5

84.1

84.4

84.2

0.14

trans-Isosafrole

89.7

82.4

86.0

4.2

87.7

85.3

86.5

1.4

Conclusion


The precision and accuracy shown in the Initial Demonstration of Proficiency demonstrate that SPE combined with modern automation for extraction, extract drying and evaporation is an effective solution for a wide range of semi volatile compounds extracted at once from ground water samples. The results are compliant with the method requirements and show a solid base for laboratory use.

Solid phase extraction is an effective extraction technique that reduces the solvent that must be evaporated before GC/MS introduction, reducing costs and time for sample preparation. Disk formats, especially when used with the Fast Flow Disk holder can handle large amounts of particulate and will drastically reduce the possibility of emulsion formation, making the time for extraction more consistent.

This system can be extended to leachate preparation from soil samples or water with additional particulate content, such as wastewater. With today’s modern analytical instrumentation the requirement for one litre samples may not be necessary for all projects and smaller sample (such as 100 mL) preparation has been demonstrated for semi volatile compounds.3

References

  1. 1. US EPA Method 8270E, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017- 04/documents/method_8260d_update_vi_final_03-13- 2017_0.pdf .
  2. US EPA Method 3535A, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-12/documents/3535a.pdf.
  3. AN121-HOR, Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) in US EPA Method 625.1, the Performance of Smaller Samples

 

Literature number: AN124-HOR