Optimization of microextraction technique for analysis of water by chromatographic methods

New liquid phase microextraction (LPME) has been optimized. Plastic adapter with tapered tip was used as extraction device. Concentration of analytes was determined by GC-MS. Face centered design was used to optimize LPME and the results were evaluated by Minitab 16 programme. Volume of sample, volume of extraction solvent, stirring rate, extraction time, ionic strength and time after microextraction were optimized. Response of system was defined as the sum of the peak relative areas. Toluene, tetrachlorethylene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, mesitylene and naphthalene were the studied analytes. Methylhexadecanoate was used as an internal standard. Optimal system conditions were as follows: 20 mL sample volume, 300 μL extraction solvent volume, 20 minutes, stirring speed 700 rpm, no addition of salt, and time after microextraction 3.5 minutes. Determination coefficient was 0.9700 and the lack-of-fit was insignificant which indicated good agreement of the model with the experimental data. The preconcentration factor ranged from 26 (tetrachlorethylene) to 39 (xylenes). The microextraction yield was varied from 39.5% (tetrachlorethylene) to 59.1% (p-xylene and m-xylene). The new method was tested by analyzing real samples of tap water, river water and water from the sewage treatment plant. The samples were..