Solid-phase microextraction as a powerful tool in photochemical studies

Abstract

The advantages of using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres as a support for photochemical studies (photo-SPME) are discussed in this paper. This technique has been applied to a variety of environmental pollutants, permitting the simultaneous analysis of primary compounds and photoproducts. The photodegradation pathways, identity and photochemical behaviour of photoproducts and several kinetic parameters have been determined for emergent (polycyclic and nitro musks) or well-established environmental substances of concern (PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and pesticides). Aqueous photodegradation studies followed by SPME have also been performed and compared with photo-SPME.

Keywords:

• Photodegradation
• Photo-SPME
• UV irradiation
• SPME
• Environmental pollutants

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the projects BQU2002-01944 and BQU2003-02090 from the CICYT (Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Spain) and PGIDIT03PXIC23701PN and PGIDIT04PXIC23701PN from Xunta de Galicia. L. Sánchez-Prado would like to acknowledge her grant to the CICYT.