Gas-chromatographic determination of volatile impurities in water by flow headspace analysis

Flow headspace gas-chromatographic analysis provides an opportunity to monitor almost continuously concentrations of volatile substances in a liquid how The use of this technique and special instrumentation decreases errors due to sampling and sample preparation for gas-chromatographic determination of volatile substances in various water samples. The analytical characteristics of flow headspace analysis with membrane separation of liquid and gas flows were examined using the determination of volatile halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons and dissolved gases in tap water. Factors affecting the sensitivity and the accuracy of the technique were studied. Under the best operating conditions of a membrane extractor, the limits of detection for volatile halogenated hydrocarbons are comparable to those in static headspace analysis, and the flow mode can be used for continuous monitoring of harmful volatile contaminants in drinking and natural water.