The effect of various soil matrices on the analysis of VOCs by automated static headspace/gas chromatography

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Abstract
This study addresses the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from various soil matrices using an automated, static headspace method. In general, the static (equilibrium) headspace method is able to provide more precise and rapid determinations of VOCs from soil matrices than the commonly used purge‐and‐trap methods. However, this study, as well as those of others, has shown that the experimental conditions of the automated static headspace method (EPA Method 5021) Is not sufficient to remove all of the inherent matrix effects of the various soil types. In general, VOC recoveries are found to decrease in the following order: water, pure sand, sandy soil, clay, then top soil. To reduce matrix effects, a recently reported full evaporation technique (FET), which uses little or no aquéous phase and higher equilibration temperatures, was found to give the most reproducible analyte recoveries, especially from soils exhibiting severe matrix effects due to high carbon content.