Determination of chlorophenols in water by headspace solid phase microextraction ion mobility spectrometry (HS-SPME-IMS)

Chlorophenols (CPs) as persistent toxic compounds are of worldwide environmental concern. Usage of chlorinated phenols, especially pentachlorophenol (PCP), has been restricted or widely banned in many countries due to their possible adverse health effects even at low concentrations. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has received increasing interest in environmental applications due to its unique characteristics, such as portability and speed of analysis. A range of sample introduction methods combined with IMS enable analysis from different environmental matrices. This study utilised headspace solid phase microextraction IMS (HS-SPME-IMS) in the determination of CPs from water samples. The extraction conditions were examined and the method was applied to real water samples. The developed method is suitable to detect CPs at milligram per liter level in water. Based on the results, SPME-IMS setup is feasible as an early warning system for water monitoring of pollutants present in drinking or surface water in case of environmental accidents or leakages.