Determination of haloacetic acids in water using solid-phase extraction/microchip capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) were determined by a fast and simple analysis method based on microchip electrophoresis and capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection ((CD)-D-4). Two chlorinated acetic acids, dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and TCA were detected in swimming pool water. Different BGEs were tested, and sodium carbonate was selected as BGE for the separation and detection in the reported experiments. Additionally, pH values and concentrations of carbonate buffer were optimized. The response times for the two analytes were less than 3 min; the lowest detected concentrations for TCA and DCAA after extraction and cleanup were 38 and 62 mu g/L and the RSDs for the migration times were 1.9 and 2.2%. TCA and DCAA were identified swimming pool water samples at concentrations ranging from 391 to 1058 mu g/L. In combination with a SPE-based concentration and cleanup procedure, this miniaturized system shows the potential for development as an on-site monitoring method for chlorinated acetic acids found in swimming pool water or other suspected water systems.