Analysis of the petroleum components benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and the xylenes in water by commercially available solid-phase microextraction and carbon-layer open tubular capillary column gas chromatography

Extraction of the petroleum components benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and the xylenes (BTEX) from water is described using a commercially available poly(dimethylsiloxane) solid-phase microextraction fibre assembly with separation and quantification by carbon-layer open tubular capillary column gas chromatography and flame ionization detection. All components of BTEX are resolved. No cryofocussing is required.