Method for the rapid detection of organic pollutants in water by vapour-phase ultraviolet absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A novel method for the rapid detection of organic pollutants in water utilising vapour-phase ultraviolet absorption spectrometry is described. The water sample is extracted with hexane or chloroform and a small amount (0.1–10 µl) of the extract is placed in a small graphite tube, which is slowly heated while the absorption of the sample is monitored. For optimum sensitivity for most substances a wavelength of 190 nm was used, and other wavelengths can additionally be used to characterise further and fingerprint the sample. Each trace can be completed within 2 min and the technique responds to many substances that are difficult to characterise or detect by gas-liquid chromatography.