Solid phase extraction techniques for drinking water abstraction monitoring and investigation of pollution incidents

Many important organic contaminants present particular analytical difficulties on account of their polarity and water solubility. Performance test data for two of the most promising approaches: solid phase extraction (SPE) and solid phase microextraction (SPME) are presented. SPE, used in a batch mode, offers a potentially powerful tool as a routine screening method. SPME is probably more useful as a technique to be deployed rapidly in an emergency, particularly when gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) general survey screening is to be used.