[Determination of benzene, toluene and xylene in marine sediment samples by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography]

The analysis and determination of the contents of benzene series compounds in marine sediment are important in chemical exploration of petroleum resources. In the present study a method has been developed for this purpose by using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC). A fused silica capillary of 45 cm x 75 microns i.d. (effective length 40 cm) was used. Running buffer was 2 mmol/L aqueous solution of sodium tetraborate containing 75 mmol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate (pH 9.16) and 20% methanol. The applied voltage was 25 kV and detection wavelength was 200 nm. The benzene, toluene and xylene were separated well within 20 min. Peak area was used for quantitative analysis. The calibration curves were linear in the range 4-50 mg/L. The relative standard deviation was within 6.2%. The contents of benzene series in sediments were between 3.79 and 17.36 micrograms/g.