Theoretical Assessment of Applicability of the Static Head-Space Technique for Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Soils

Abstract

Many problems appear when the multi-parameter and multiphase matrices such as the soils contaminated by volatile organic compounds are analysed. The main problem is to transfer the contaminants into another medium to make them accessible to analysis because they are often captured in various ways in the solid matrix (on the present organic carbon). The relatively expensive and environmental unfriendly solvent extraction is used for this purpose in common practice. The present study is based on the analyses of air (static head-space method) and water (extraction method) as extraction medium. The relationships for contaminants distribution in the model air-water-soil system were derived. The behaviour of selected volatile substances was predicted for various soil parameters (organic carbon content and moisture content) on the basis of derivated relationships. The suitability of the individual analysable phases is discussed in dependence on the soil characteristics and the contaminant types according the calculated distribution of contaminants in a model system.