Optimization of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the recovery of explosives from aqueous and post-explosion debris followed by gas and liquid chromatographic analysis Article

Furton, KG, Wu, L, Almirall, JR. (2000). Optimization of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the recovery of explosives from aqueous and post-explosion debris followed by gas and liquid chromatographic analysis . 45(4), 857-864. 10.1520/jfs14784j

cited authors

  • Furton, KG; Wu, L; Almirall, JR

fiu authors

abstract

  • Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been evaluated for the recovery of explosives residues from aqueous samples and real post-explosion solid debris samples and optimized using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). A modified SPME/HPLC interface utilizing dual six-port valves allowed for independent optimization of SPME desorption and injection variables that provided improved chromatographic resolution and sensitivity. A unique combination of cyano and octadecyl columns resulted in the complete separation of the 14 explosives in EPA method 8330 mixture using HPLC with good quantitative results. At the optimum SPME conditions, the limits of detection (LOD) were found to be of 5 ng/mL to 16 ng/mL of explosives in water and 10 μg/kg to 40 μg/kg of explosives from soil. The technique has been successfully applied to the analysis of real post- explosion debris and can be adapted for use in the field utilizing portable chromatographic instruments.

publication date

  • January 1, 2000

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 857

end page

  • 864

volume

  • 45

issue

  • 4