Optimization of extraction conditions and fiber selection for methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)/Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) using solid-phase microextraction (SPME)

Organic compounds can be a major pollution problem in groundwater. Their presence in water can create a hazard to public health and the environment. The measurement of very low concentrations of organic compounds in the environment has been a subject of research for many years. Of particular concern are the BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) due to their hazardous and health effects. This study will focus on the BTEX's and MTBE, which makes up one of the main groups of soluble organic compounds that find their way into our soil and groundwater. In the analysis of organic compounds in water samples, sample preparation usually consists of several steps. These methods have various drawbacks, including cost and excessive preparation time. A new sample preparation technique has been developed recently. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been shown to be a quantitative technique for volatile and semivolatile. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was optimized for the analysis of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene in aqueous samples. Extraction efficiency was evaluated using different SPME fibers. Several optimization parameters such as salt addition, pH variation, sample stirring, sample volume and sonnication have been evaluated. Detection limits in the range 1 ppb range were obtained. The developed method was reliable, accurate and cost-effective.