Unbiased spectrophotometric method for estimating phenol or o-cresol in unknown water samples

The generalised H-point standard addition method (GHPSAM) was applied to quantify phenol and o-cresol in waters and compared with other analytical approaches. The method is based on spectroscopic and kinetic measurement of the formation of derivatives with p-aminophenol and KIO(4) in presence of NaOH. First, pseudo-first order kinetic behaviour of the reaction products was demonstrated. The unbiased formation rate constants of phenol and o-cresol derivatives were calculated. The analytical figures of merit were determined using the GHPSAM as calibration method. Detection limits achieved were 0.2 microg L(-1) of phenol and 0.2 microg L(-1) of o-cresol using a preconcentration factor of 10. Styrene-divinyl benzene cartridges were used in the preconcentration step. Repeatability values were 3.7% for phenol and 2.0% for o-cresol; reproducibility values were 6.9% and 3.5%, respectively. Accurate and precise results were obtained when the method was applied to real samples of natural water.