Abstract
A protocol combining purge-and-trap (P&T) and solid phase microextraction (SPME) was established for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the wastewater plant of high-tech industries. Over 60 VOCs could be analyzed by P&T coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (P&T-GC-MS). Four polar VOCs commonly used in the high-tech industries were determined by SPME coupled to gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (SPME-GC-FID). The limits of detection for the analytes were less than 1.1 μg L <sup>-1</sup> with P&T-GC-MS, and between 1.5 and 12.5 μg L <sup>-1</sup> with SPME-GC-FID. Satisfactory recoveries (83% to 130%) were obtained. Real samples were analyzed from a wastewater treatment plont during various stages of treatment. The major pollutant in the wastewater influent was found to be acetone (> 4 ppm).